‘Great start’ a thrill for Wells
● Runcorn second XI bowler Tom Heath castles Mobberley second-team’s Cameron Shaw in the sides’ clash last weekend at Runcorn Sports Club. Turn to page 53 for more pictures and match reports from the first and second XI games.
RUNCORN Cricket Club first XI have now recorded back-to-back victories in the league following a commanding performance against Middlewich last Saturday.
James Wells and his side were just too strong for the hosts as they produced an excellent bowling performance.
Runcorn hit Middlewich hard, taking four wickets in just six overs before seeing off an impressive innings in the field.
Their batting was equally as assured as openers Wells and Patrick Tyrrell set firm foundations for a successful run-chase.
Skipper Wells was delighted at his team’s performance and he was full of praise for the contributions of some of his key bowlers and batsmen.
“Middlewich won the toss and decided to bat first which ended up working in our favour,” said Wells.
“Things started great for us as we had them down to 7-4 off just six overs so that was a really good way to get going.
“Dan Booth and Jordan Grobbelaar took two apiece and they started the bowling attack really, really well.
“We steadily took wickets and kept pressure on Middlewich throughout their entire innings and they only amassed 142-8 off their 45 overs.
“Matty Drury and Jack Wignall shared the rest of the wickets and it was just a great show in the field by us so I was really pleased.
“After the break, we started solid ensuring we didn’t lose a wicket.
“Myself and Patrick Tyrrell saw off the new ball and steadily kept the board ticking over before I was dismissed for 27.
“Booth then came to the crease and played a fantastic innings making 67 which was his first half century for the first team so that was brilliant!”
Despite some big performances from the likes of Dan Booth, Runcorn’s captain insisted the team supported each other and it was a great showing of effort from everyone.
“It was obviously a great match for Booth getting his high score with the bat and grabbing a few wickets,” said Wells.
“But at the crease he was supported really well by Tyrrell (18), Grobbelaar (11) and Ryan Beech (13 not out) so we reached our total within 37 overs and only lost three wickets.
“The victory gave us 25 points too which has taken us to third place in the league which I’m absolutely thrilled about.
“It’s still early on but to get 71 points out of a possible 100 already is a great start to the season by the lads.”
Runcorn return to action on Saturday when they play host to Barnton in their latest league fixture and Wells is hoping for another strong performance.
Barnton have won just one of their last five games and go into the clash on the back of two backto-back defeats.
Runcorn on the other hand have picked up two back-to-back victories and will be hoping to continue their bright start to the season with an unchanged squad. RANGI CHASE will go straight into the Widnes starting line-up to face Wakefield Trinity at the Magic Weekend in Newcastle on Saturday.
The mercurial half-back was signed on a loan deal this week from Castleford Tigers until the end of the season.
Vikings coach Denis Betts believes Chase will bring some cutting edge to his injury-ravaged squad.
He said: “Rangi’s exciting and rugby league fans can see he can do things that not a lot of people can do. He’s been playing with more structure at Castleford and that’s one of the things he’s added to his game.
“And of course what he can do, which is hard to coach into somebody, is break open a game by putting a kick or pass in that can get you a try.
“He’s excited to have the opportunity to get regularly on the field and he’ll play in the starting team this week.”
Although the move for Chase came as a shock to many, Betts revealed it wasn’t the first time he’s tried to bring the 31-year-old former England international to the Select Security Stadium.
He added: “We’ve looked at it a couple of times throughout the year. In fact I spoke to Rangi a number of years ago, before he moved to Salford.
“He’s a player that’s exciting to have in the group. There’s no doubt he can play and make things happen.
“We’ve been without Joe Mellor and Tom Gilmore at various times this year through injury but Rangi was playing a part at Castleford at the time on the fringes of their team. Things have changed. It’s a real positive move from us to get a player of his quality.
“It’s not often you can pick up England internationals, or somebody who can break open a game and add the quality to a side that Rangi can, on half-season loans.”
The Chase signing has slightly overshadowed a couple of other loan deals Widnes completed this week. Warrington duo Sam Wilde and Jack Johnson have come onboard for the next four weeks and are both likely to join Chase in Saturday’s line-up.
Betts explained: “The most important aspect for us right now is getting a team on the field we know can compete.
“We’re just missing a couple of experienced and talented people to give us something else on our edges.”
Widnes are hopeful second-rower Chris Houston and hooker Lloyd White will be fit to return this week. Joe Mellor has a chance of shaking of the quad muscle injury he sustained at Warrington but Chris Bridge remains on the sidelines after again failing a concussion test. ●