RAINFORD won the Ray Digman Knockout Trophy for the first time after a thrilling victory over Northern at Moor Park.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Rainford were in trouble at 60-7 whereupon skipper John Dotters and Josh Proctor began to rebuild the innings with a partnership of 65 for the eighth wicket. Dotters finished with 26 and Proctor 56 as the visitors closed on 154 all out.

Cup specialists Northern looked comfortable at 76-1 but they collapsed to 99-6 as Dotters (2-21) and Liam Gaskell (2-21) put the squeeze on and Andrew Pickavance (3-15) picked off the tail as the hosts were bowled out for 124.