McCoy’s experience invaluable in victory

WITH three Widnes batters – Chughtai, Maher, and Burns – in prime early season form, it would be easy to over look the contribution of James McCoy to the Widnes team.

Using all his experience on a tricky pitch, McCoy guided Widnes to a respectable first innings total, which proved just too much for Alderley Edge to chase.

Having been asked to bat first, Widnes got off to the worst possible start, with Chughtai adjudged LBW first ball.

Maher joined Kirby and again showed assurance and was out scoring his partner.

It was a surprise therefore when he departed caught off Foster for 21, bringing Burns to the crease.

Having survived 21 balls, Wilkinson had Burns caught for 4 and then an out of touch Kirby went for 12, leaving Widnes struggling on 47 for four.

It was at this stage that McCoy decided to take charge.

Putting aside his most extravagant shots as he gradually rebuilt the innings.

McCoy found a willing apprentice in the shape of Rohan Luthra.

Showing maturity, beyond his 18 years Luthra supported McCoy who in turn, reached his fifty off 65 balls.

With the score on 135, Luthra fell to James Naylor for a well made 29.

It was vital that Widnes pushed the score along to around 200, in order to give the bowlers a decent target.

This looked unlikely when McCoy departed for 67 and then Soni, having batted nicely for 15, got himself run out, a feat that Hafiz decided to copy, having hit his customary 6.

Yandell, returning to the side after a long absence, lasted one ball with Widnes faltering on 179 for 8.

Skipper Evans then decided to take matters into his own hands.

Three fours took the score to 196 from the allotted 55 overs with Evans finishing on 19 not out.

It was important that Widnes got some early wickets to put Alderley under pressure.

Evans turned to his leading wicket taker, Qamar Hafiz, who didn’t disappoint.

Having Foster caught for 1 and then clean bowling Perry for 9, Hafiz then knocked over Bell for 5 leaving Alderley at 23 for three.

Will Valentine mounted a recovery.

With Richard Wilkinson providing solid support, Valentine advanced the score to 93 before Evans lured him into a false shot and had him caught for 35.

Kenyon joined Wilkinson and Evans was forced to bring back Hafiz to break up what was developing then into a dangerous partnership. With the score on 127, Hafiz trapped Wilkinson LBW for 59 and then repeated the trick, dismissing Reid for a duck.

Luthra was introduced to the attack and he quickly confirmed his allrounder status, removing Campbell for 0 and then bowling Kenyon for 26.

It only remained for Aaron Soni to mop up the tailenders for Widnes to record their second successive away victory with Alderley Edge, all out for 153.

Skipper Evans was especially pleased with the form of James McCoy and growing maturity of youngster Rohan Luthra.

He felt that Qamar Hafiz is bowling as well as he has ever done and believes that his wickets will be vital as Widnes climb the table.

Next week Widnes will be faced with a tough task as they take on second placed Didsbury at Beaconsfield Road.