SUTTON made the short trip across St Helens to Rainford, complete with a large travelling support, in the Merseyside and Southport Alliance.

The two sides served up a run feast in a game featuring a total of nine under 18 players.

This emphasises the pivotal role of both the Rainford and Sutton clubs in the developments and successes in Junior cricket within the St Helens Borough in recent times.

Rainford skipper Phil Curran won the toss and invited Mike Rimmer's team to bat, a decision questioned by many at the time, but thoroughly vindicated at the end when Rainford won by five wickets.

After Gary Frost had departed early, Rimmer (83) and Milind Tamhane (69) added 115 for the second wicket before Tamhane was trapped LBW by his friend and countryman Murtu Lodghar. Lodghar's introduction into the attack once again changed the game, (16 overs, 5 - 45) including the crucial wicket of the dangerous Rimmer.

He was well supported by Curran's own brand of off spin (4-54) and with only young Andrew Hughes (12) offering any late resistance Sutton were all out for a very respectable 243.

Rainford, as usual, got away to a rapid start, 33 off 5 overs, and maintained this momentum throughout the innings.

After Steve Meredith had departed for 17, well caught by Rimmer off Phil Frost, John Williams (42) scored quickly before falling to the sustained accuracy of Ray Foster, providing the experienced paceman with the first of his three wickets.

Chris Tongue (27) and Graeme Green (27) were both content to play a supporting role to Lodghar who continues to play innings of the highest quality.

The Bengali all rounder finished on 123 not out as Rainford eased home by five wickets.

The seconds moved into second place in Division Three of the Southport and District League with a 13 run win at Croston.

They recovered from 47-7 thanks to a 75 run partnership between Keith Haskayne (48) and Andrew Grounds (21 not out) to finish on 130 all out.

Steve Murgatroyd (6-31) and the rejuvenated Haskayne (3-21) then bowled John Pickavance's men to a thrilling win and into the title race.

This Sunday (17 August) sees a festival of cricket at the Jubilee Recreation Ground when an Indian All-star X1 takes on a Rainford Invitation X1, 1.30 start.