A CAPACITY crowd saw Rainford host nearest rivals Skelmersdale in the latest round of matches in the Merseyside & Southport Alliance.

The decision by the visitors to take to the crease first looked to be paying dividends as they cruised to 130/2, but an inspirational spell of bowling by Phil Battersby was about to turn the game on its head.

The chunky paceman slogged through 20 overs and was rewarded with a fine 6/71 and at the other end a maturing Mark Williams assisted Skem's demise with 3/30 as the visitors fell for just 182.

The Rainford reply started in time honoured fashion, a succession of boundaries taking them to 70 before Chris Tonge fell for a quickfire 33.

Fellow opener Ste Meredith continued the assault and at 132/3 with eighteen overs remaining must have been contemplating his first win as skipper, until a rush of blood saw him stumped for classy 78.

Batsmen came and went and when last hope Ste Harrison (28) was controversially stumped by Skem keeper Donnelly the chances of victory for both sides went with him as Rainford shut up shop on 164/8.

Match sponsor was Compton & Gilmore Opticians.

The seconds made the opposite trip and in a game were fortunes ebbed and flowed slugged it out with hosts Skem as the game was tied with both sides scoring 98.

Rainford batted first and had P C Fogarty (26), making his seasonal debut, and the extras column (16) to thank for the bulk of their total.

Skem looked set fair at 66/3 in reply but then Chris Spencer got to work with his slow right arm, the close season recruit was on the spot throughout his spell and backed up by some never-say-die fielding claimed 7/20 to tie the game.

Spencer has impressed in his three games so far and must be knocking on the first team door as a ready-made replacement for the injured Ste Murgatroyd.