Weekend double to celebrate
Cheshire Cup Sunday 22nd May 2022 North East Cheshire C C v Widnes C C Widnes 191 /9 40 overs North East Cheshire 134 all out 29 0vers Widnes won by 57 runs
WIDNES made it a double winning weekend when a youthful team made light work of East Cheshire.
Boasting two sets of brothers and father and son combination, the side had a family spirit about itself.
The Chunghtai brothers and Burns brothers were looking to outshine the regular brother combinations of the McCoys and Hewitts and with the return of former skipper, Ian Spencer, his son, Bobby was making his Cheshire cup debut, there was plenty of encouragement for the youngsters.
Having won the toss, captain Kirby elected to bat first on a wicket which looked bowler friendly.
Together with regular opening partner, Ali Chughtai, Kirby made steady progress, before Chughtai was caught for 28, just when he was increasing the tempo. Aaron Soni was promoted up the order and this proved an inspired decision.
Scoring mostly in boundaries, Soni was striking at 130 and a hundred partnership was posted before Kirby was caught for 44.
Matty Burns was next out for 1 before Soni was dismissed for 64 off just 50 balls.
Ian Spencer turned back the years with a well made 21 as the tale enders chased quick runs.
At the end of the 40 overs Widnes had made 191, which looked a good target.
It was vital that the Widnes bowlers took some early wickets and the reliable Hafiz did just that.
Hafiz bowled opener, Gould, first ball and then Cowan weighed in with the wicket of Reynolds for 11.
The next three wickets fell for just 16 runs as Hafiz tore the heart from the East Cheshire reply with another three wickets.
Younger brother, Umar Chughtai, then stepped in and snatched three wickets.
His last wicket removing the dangerous Will Richie for 27. Chester’s Bowden hit a couple of sixes in defiance, before Matty Burns mopped up the tail, with two wickets.
134 all out left Widnes victors by 57 runs.
Kirby was extremely pleased to get two victories over the weekend, especially with the number of youngsters coming into the team.
Aaron Soni proved that he is more than capable of holding a higher batting position in league matches and Qamar Hafiz reminded everyone that he remains a quality strike bowler.