MOORFIELD 1st XI travelled to Ainsdale in the hope of resurrecting some much needed better form but it was not to be.

Skipper John Eccleshall elected to bat on a hard, dry track. Moorfield were without the experience of opener Ian Maher, bowlers Tony Harrison and Rob Yearsley. John Eccleshall was left stranded on three occasions as three quick wickets fell.

Neil Maher joined him and he set about the Ainsdale attack, knocking Aussie pro, Dale Christie, out of the attack.

When John fell after a patient 31, Neil was always struggling for partners to stay with him. Tom Sellick came to the crease fresh from his 52 the previous week, as Christie switched ends and came back on.

The result was a nightmare for Sellick who totally gifted his wicket away instantly.

When Neil fell after a fine 60, the end was nigh. Moorfield closed on 144 all out at tea. Christie was the pick of the Ainsdale bowlers with six for 44 including a hat trick.

In response, the Ainsdale openers set about the poor Moorfield opening attack that bowled too short and wide.

Opener Ste Cropper knocked a belligerent 42 and fellow opener Mark Causey stayed with him to knock 27.

Experience was brought to bear as Eccleshall turned to Karl Fitzgerald to bowl and tie up an end. The wickets began to fall and caused some very nervous moments for the Ainsdale team. Karl bowled wicket to wicket and let the pitch do the work.

It appeared Ainsdale's Pakistani pro Mian Kahn see his side home but some good captaincy by Eccleshall forced him to try to hit the ball too hard and Karl had him caught behind on 35.

By this time there was panic in the Ainsdale ranks as it was left to two of their lesser batsmen to knock off the few remaining runs to secure a nervous Ainsdale win.

Pick of the Moorfield bowlers was Karl Fitzgerald with five for 23 off 11 overs.

Moorfield 2nd XI didn't fare much better as they too lost to Ainsdale. Moorfield lost the toss and were asked to bowl. Ainsdale 211 for seven declared and Moorfield were bowled out in the run chase for 192.

Moorfield 3rd XI entertained Mariners CC at home on the Sunday with skipper Shaun Champers absent. Maritime won the toss and decided to bat.

Three of the top four scored 33, 68 and 69 as they smashed the ball to all parts, including 17 fours and nine sixes and it was only the intervention of young Neil Baxter's spin bowling that stopped the rot as he finished with figures of five overs, six for 24 but by this time the damage was already done as Mariners finished on 250 all out.

Moorfield were always up against it with the bat and having to chase so many runs led to rash shots and wickets tumbled.

Only Nick Ellis came out of it with more than 20 runs as he smashed 65 runs before being bowled. Moorfield were all out for 165.

Next week the 1st XI play Birkenhead St Mary's at home whilst the 2nd XI travel to Birkenhead.