It’s a real game of frustration Betts – We must be prepared for the Dragons’ fire
RUNCORN Cricket Club’s first-team had to settle for a frustrating draw against Hale Barns on Saturday as they couldn’t break down resilient opponents.
“It was frustrating,” said vicecaptain David McNamara.
“We got 204 and they were 148-8 but we couldn’t get the last two wickets in time. We were unlucky really and a few decisions just didn’t go our way.
“We had some good performances though. A few people did well with the bat and there were some vital runs made at the end of the innings but it just wasn’t enough.
“With the ball we were on top but they got a bit of a partnership going. They were getting back into the game but I bowled out their overseas batsman and they went really defensive.
“They just kind of held the wicket and we couldn’t break them down. They played out for the draw and did well.
“We couldn’t cross the line. We needed two wickets off the last two balls but just couldn’t do it. It was a good game though and it started a bit later because of the weather.”
Runcorn’s next fixture is this Saturday against struggling Poynton and McNamara is hoping his side can capitalise.
“We’re away but they’re bottom of the league. Our away form isn’t great though.
“I think we’ll have to perform but we’re only about 20 points of the top now so we could progress up the table if we keep doing well.
“We’ve also got our semi-final on Thursday. We had a good training session in the heat on Tuesday evening and we’ve got another one on Wednesday.
“We’re the reigning champions so we’ve been there before and hopefully we can go there and do the same again.”
Asked about Runcorn’s lack of away form, the vice-captain admitted he was baffled as to why they don’t perform but said his side felt more comfortable on their own Moughland Lane track.
McNamara said: “We’ve got a good backing at home and we’re used to our pitch.
“Everyone comes to watch. I think we’re just not used to it away.
“We’ve got a decent away support too but we just don’t seem to do as well.
“We’re eight or nine games unbeaten now though I think so hopefully other teams slip up and we might nick into the top two in the league table.
“We’ve got one batsmen away this weekend and he scored a few runs on the weekend so that’ll be a loss.
“But we’ve got someone coming in to replace him so hopefully he’ll do well and we should have another strong squad.” WIDNES boss Denis Betts is expecting a highlymotivated Catalans Dragons team to show up at the Select Security Stadium on Sunday.
Having looked nailed on for a Top 4 spot just a month ago, a slump in form has seen the French outfit come under pressure from fifth-placed St Helens. Their latest defeat was a disappointing 30-28 home loss to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats last Saturday.
Another defeat this week could affect how many home games the Dragons get following the split into the Super Eights.
Betts said: “After losing a few games, their top four spot is now coming under pressure. They’ll be desperate to get back to winning ways.
“For a start they’ll want to stay in the four when the split occurs after this week’s game because it will get them an extra home game in the Super Eights. Having said that, I suspect [Catalans coach] Laurent Fraysinnous is taking the longer term view that there are eight games to go before the play-offs. So I’m not sure he’ll want to rush any injured players back too quickly. I think he’ll have the bigger picture in mind. There’s still a long way to go.”
Catalans were without arguably their two best players for the Wakefield game.
Half-back Todd Carney and back-rower Glenn Stewart were both on the sidelines and the Dragons certainly missed the direction they give to the team.
Betts believes that even without some of their star names there is still plenty of quality in the Catalans squad. However, he is looking for his own men to step up to the mark after last Friday’s disappointing 32-24 loss to Salford Red Devils. Even though Widnes are safely inside the Top Eight, the Vikings boss insists there is still plenty to play for. He added “They’ve got a fantastic squad. “They’ve got French internationals dotted all over it who are only in the side because the likes of Glenn Stewart, Todd Carney or Paul Aiton aren’t playing. They’ve got some big, powerful blokes like Dave Taylor and Willie Mason too.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”