Charles bouncing to victory over Barrow
THE waiting is almost over for Widnes RUFC, as they prepare for Saturday’s first pre-season fixture against Wigan at Heath Road.
The coaching staff have been delighted with the way preparations have gone thus far. Training has been in full swing since late June, numbers have been holding up well, and several new faces have added some vital experience back into what is a very young squad.
Wigan need no introduction to Heath Road. They are one of Widnes’s nearest and dearest rivals, going back over many years.
They met twice last season, with Lee McDermott’s outfit completing the double over their rivals, with the Leadbetter brothers – captain Kevin and top try scorer Antony – doing all the BARROW CC 145 ALL OUT ALVANLEY CC 149/6 LVANLEY returned to winning ways with a solid four-wicket win over Barrow with five overs to spare, a result that takes them to six points off second spot and 14 of the top.
Alvanley won the toss and chose to bowl on a wicket that was remarkable given the rain that had fallen in the last week.
Chris Charles was gambling on a bit of early seam movement and the gamble was rewarded as although there was no swing there was just enough in the pitch to encourage himself and Billy Ouzounidis.
It was the bounce that the taller Charles found to be his greatest ally and this quickly became an inroad as the prolific Reid edged to Gee and two balls later the same combination removed Morrison.
At 5-2 off seven overs, a stand of 58 followed between De Silva and McClements but at 63-2 off 25 overs, Barrow were not getting away from Alvanley.
Charles’ opening spell bore incredible figures of 2-7 off 10 outstanding overs.
It was brother Steve who ended the third wicket resistance, bowling McClements and after changing ended he took the next wicket, Afridi chipping to the grateful Whitley for 98-4.
After contributions from Rowlands and Ainsworth, the skipper reverted back to his new ball combination.
Ouzounidis immediately removed the dangerous De Silva, brilliantly caught by Ste Charles diving forward and then a surge of wickets from Chris Charles began.
AHe got Beswick to edge behind and then persuaded Johnson to hit to deep midwicket where Ainsworth, at first confused, took the most stupendous of catches. Further wickets for Ouzounidis and Charles saw the tail off in a flash and the innings closed in 45 overs at 145 all out.
Charles’ second spell gave him four wickets in 2.3 overs and he ended with 6-17 in 12.3. Brilliant stuff from the skipper, but four tidy catches for Si Gee behind the stumps should be noted.
Alvanley opted for a bold approach and threw Andy Bennion in to open with Mike Rowlands and the pair flogged 36 for the first wicket in just six overs before Bennion skied one.
A complete contrast followed as just 21 runs came in the next 20 overs. De Silva and Barrow bowled tightly and a stalemate ensued.
Within this period Ste Charles and Si Gee perished but Mike Rowland and Jonno Whitley dug in and gradually found singles and very occasional boundaries.
They added a vital 60 runs for the fourth wicket but this came to an end when Rowlands was bowled for an outstanding 57 which spanned two hours.
Whitley soon followed, ramping a bouncer to the keeper, but Alvanley have great depth both in their batting and their squad.
Chris Jones, having scored well in the second XI, strode to the crease and looked the best player on the day. He effortlessly stoked 26 not out to ease his team towards the line.
Chris Wright accompanied him and hit the winning boundary to make the last six weeks of the season an exciting push for promotion.