THE Liverpool Gin Liverpool Competition opening weekend saw Premier Division side Rainhill take on champions Northern, losing by eight wickets.

New recruit Sean Vandome hit 91 out of their total of 168 all out before Northern eased home.

In Division One Rainford recovered from 30 for 4 thanks to a 143 run partnership between John Dotters (91) and Mark Potter (83) scored in just 10 overs enabling a declaration at 242 for 7.

New Zealand paceman Josh Peake made an immediate impact with 3 for 24 as Prestatyn were dismissed for 134.

Newton le Willows fought out a draw with Sefton Park with young Ben Walkden making a fine 113 not out, accompanied by Chris Chambers with 62 not out in their 238 for 2 declared.

Sefton finished on 144 for 8 with Sam Guest bagging 4 for 39.

In Division Two there were wins for both Sutton and St Helens Town. Sutton made 254 for 7, Jack York (95) and Joe Noctor (54) before bowling Alder out for 129, Jamie Greener (5 for 32).

The Ruskin Drive outfit won by five wickets at Burscough after Jimmy Davies had claimed 3 for 21.

The middle order then fired Dave Gaskell (32) and Craig Woods (27) to see the Town home.