THIEVES have stopped play at the Windleshaw Road home of St Helens Cricket Club.

Last week the plastic covers were stolen, leaving the wicket unprotected from the elements and forcing the cancellation of their third team game against Oxton.

If anyone sees a large expanse of plastic sheeting with St Helens CC printed on it, contact the club on 01744 23931.

Meanwhile St Helens continued their winning run with a seven wicket victory over Highfield.

Put into bat, Highfield lost early wickets with only Tariq (73) resisting.

Sanjay Pandey (3-50) and Mark Potter (7-72) skittled Highfield out for 124.

Short of usual openers, Darren Tyms and Ian Lawless moved up the order.

Lawless remained undefeated on 53 not out. David Lowe (22) and Sanjay Pandey (30 not out) did enough to ensure victory at 126-3.

The second team faced Hightown with ten men and were all out for 109.

Top scorers were Barry Fee (22) and Alan Shepperd (17).

Sheppard then took 6-44 as Hightown reached 110-7.

Next week, weather permitting, the first team are at home to Hightown on Saturday and away to Leigh in the cup on Sunday.

The seconds and thirds are away to Worsley and Formby respectively.