Anderson denies Widnes third win
WIDNES, seeking their third victory on the spin, came up just short in a match which was undecided until the penultimate over.
Needing just two wickets with Didsbury still needing 37 more runs, Widnes were thwarted by an unbeaten 84 from Nick Anderson, who steered them to victory. With nearly 500 runs scored, once again credit must go to the Widnes ground staff for producing a fantastic cricket wicket.
Having won the toss and electing to bat first, Widnes made a steady start with veteran Chris Kirby looking to regain his early season form.
Unfortunately, it was Kirby who departed first, caught off man of the match Anderson for a pleasant 29.
Kieran Maher began his innings in determined fashion, and with Chughtai playing a supporting role, the score reached 96 in 26 overs.
Having struck six fours and two sixes, Maher was caught for 45 off Magowan. Chughtai fell next for a studious 41, leaving the stage to youngsters Burns and Luthra. With Matty Burns in prime form, he is batting with supreme confidence, putting aside last season’s inconsistency.
With Luthra also batting with assurance, Burns brought up his 50 in 49 balls which included seven fours and two sixes. The score raced along to 218, when Burns was caught on the boundary for 60.
Alex Hewitt could only make one and the innings was in danger of losing momentum.
However, Luthra picked up the pace to hit 47 and with Qamar Hafiz swinging the willow, Widnes finished on 247 after from their 55 overs. A reasonable total, but skipper Tom Evans knew that it could be chased down given the speed of the outfield.
Didsbury are not second in the league by chance, and took only 11 overs to reach their first 50. It was youngster Aaron Soni who achieved the break through, having Croes caught for 28.
Hughes fell victim to Luthra for 35 and when Youds was deceived by Evans for 27, Didsbury had passed 100.
Sam Leech gave Hafiz his first wicket and when the same bowler had Lowen LBW for 17, Widnes seemed on top, with Didsbury 124 for five.
Hafiz took his third wicket, that of Hastings for 5 and all of Didsbury’s hopes seem to rest on Anderson, who was looking untroubled.
With a willing partner in James Green, Anderson, played some powerful drives and pulls to take the score to 190. before an alert piece of fielding by Maher ran out Green for 23.
Backhouse could only make 5, before being bowled by Hafiz leaving Didsbury needing a further 37 for victory.
Unfortunately for Widnes, Anderson was in no mood to give up his wicket. Protecting number 10 Raza Mian, Anderson took control, hitting 11 fours and two sixes.
His unbeaten 84 from just 81 balls lifted Didsbury to victory with just seven balls to spare.
After the match, skipper Evans recognised the efforts of Anderson, with his two wickets and 84 runs, which proved the difference between the two sides. He was pleased with his batters and the wicket taking abilities of Hafiz.
Next week, Widnes are away to Nantwich, who are notoriously difficult to beat at Whitehouse Lane.