Early setback sets tone as decent total not enough against Nantwich
WIDNES travelled to high flying Nantwich determined to banish last weeks performance against Cheadle.
Kirby and Moore returned but Matty Burns failed a late fitness test on his pulled hamstring. Under a cloudless sky Nantwich won the toss and invited Widnes to bat first.
The innings got of to the worst possible start with Mikey Byrne being bowled by Jay Warrington for a duck.
This brought the reliable Kirby to the crease and together with James McCoy the score moved steadily along. McCoy in particular playing some nice shots He brought up his 50 off 38 balls with eight fours and one six.
It was a surprise when he fell LBW to Oliver Griffiths for 60. Kirby followed shortly afterwards for a very patient 24 off the bowling of Stockton and it was mainly left to the improving Johnathan Campbell to progress the score.
Bashir and Moore could only add eight and seven respectively and Widnes were again reliant on the experienced Majeed to steady the innings.
Campbell went to his 50 off 64 balls and was eventually out for 62 caught by Doyle off the bowling of Spencer.
Widnes hopes firmly rested with Majeed but for once he ● was not able to make a significant score which would have set a total which would have put Nantwich under pressure. He became Warrington’s second wicket for 21.
Hafiz, Soni and Parkinson quickly fell and Widnes were all out for 208 in the 55th over.
Warrington and Griffiths were the pick of the Nantwich bowlers with four and three wickets respectively.
Early wickets were what Widnes needed but Nantwich’s openers got the team off to a solid start with Rimmer in particular playing aggressively and punishing the bad ball.
The score moved on to 51 in the 10th over before Qamar had Stockton caught by Majeed for 20.
Next, Qamar claimed the wicket of Rimmer who was caught behind by Kirby for 40 and the same bowler had Brown LBW for 11.
This brought Luke Robinson to the crease who was eventually to be the major factor in the game.
Despite Majeed repeatedly delving into his box of tricks and gaining the wickets of Doyle and Johnston he could not break a 78 run partnership between Griffith and Robinson which took Nantwich to a match defining score.
Griffith eventually fell to Majeed for 51 and it was left to Cook and Robinson to see Nantwich home with four wickets to spare in the 41st over.
Robinson finished unbeaten on 69 from just 70 balls.
Taking six wickets between themselves Qamar and Majeed were the pick of the Widnes bowlers.
Captain Tom Evans recognised that Widnes needed more runs to put Nantwich under pressure and hopes that his top order can respond next week when the first Xl visit Neston away.
The second XL are at home to Congleton CC.