Beaconsfield Road shock for title hopefuls
BY CHRIS ROWBOTTOM
CHESTER Boughton Hall came to Beaconsfield Road looking to put pressure on league leaders Nantwich but were left shell shocked as Widnes chased down the runs required to gain a stunning victory.
Majid Majeed was once again the star man for Widnes as he guided the team to one of their best wins of the season, scoring a majestic 83 not out.
The match began with Chester wining the toss and electing to bat first on a beautifully prepared wicket, which looked full of runs, whilst also providing some encouragement to the spinners.
Ben Hewitt, bowling down the hill, made the early break through, having Moore adjudged LBW.
Next ball, Money was caught by brother Alex, leaving Chester 10 for 2. Luke Young was next to fall for 26 becoming Aaron Soni’s only victim.
When Harry Killoran was smartly run out by Chughtai for 25, Chester were 78 for 4 and struggling.
Jack Williams joined Atif Qureshi, and after a nervous start, soon began to play his shots. Qureshi proved an ideal partner and the fifth wicket partnership of 50 came up of just 58 balls in the 27th over.
Ten overs later the Chester pair were celebrating their hundred partnership.
Widnes captain Tom Evans rotated his bowlers in order to get a break through but both batsmen were well set and the 150 partnership came up in the 44th over.
The score had now raced on to 249 and a total of over 300 looked possible. Evans brought himself on to bowl and despite conceding some quick runs made the break through, taking a smart catch to dismiss Williams for 86.
Qureshi went on to a well made hundred before he became Evan’s next victim, caught in the deep, for 106.
At 206 for 6, Chester looked to score some quick runs but could not gain any momentum as Evans picked up his third wicket of Metcalf, stumped by replacement keeper Burns after Kirby picked up a nasty finger injury.
Majeed claimed his first wicket of Fleet for 6 and when Nash was run out one handed by Kirby, Chester decided to declare 2 over short of their allotted 55 overs on 271 for 9, thinking that they may want the additional overs in order to bowl Widnes out.
They could not anticipate what was to materialise and seriously under estimated the strength Widnes of the batting line up.
Despite his injury, Kirby opened the innings with Chughtai and dealt smoothly with the pace of Luke Young.
A partnership of 50 was made before Kirby was caught off McCormick for 24. This brought Luke McCoy to the crease, who was quickly into his stride. Scoring at better than a run a ball, McCoy took the game to Chester and the one hundred was reached in the 22nd over.
Having made 42 McCoy was caught off the bowling of Killoran bringing to the wicket Majid Majeed. With the total on 155, Chughtai was unfortunately run out for 63 followed quickly by a second run out of Matty Burns for just 2.
Byrne and Alex Hewitt could only make 4 and 8 respectively and at 185 for 6, the Widnes run chase was faltering.
However Majeed was still at the crease and new batsman Ben Hewitt, is more than capable number 8.
Over recent weeks Majeed has looked a quality batsman.
With scores of 44 not out and 90 in his last two innings, he looked full of confidence and with Hewitt looking composed at the other end, Majeed aimed to get Widnes over the finishing line. His 50 came of just 57 balls, and with Hewitt playing securely, the run chase continued.
The game took an unexpected twist when Hewitt was caught in the deep with 10 runs still required
This brought Hafiz to the crease, whose batting this year could be described as hit and miss.
Widnes nerves were settled by a nicely struck four and then Majeed applied the final touch with a late cut for 4 to send the Widnes supporters wild with delight.
Majeed ended the day on 83 not out and reminded everyone what a class batsman he is. Scoring 272 runs to win the match was no easy task, but it is a sign of the teams growing maturity.
Captain Tom Evans was euphoric after the match and paid tribute to Majeed for his innings.
He also congratulated young bowler Aaron Soni on his debut for Lancashire’s one day second team.
Over recent weeks Widnes have beaten the second and third placed teams in the league and should have beaten leaders Nantwich, when they reduced them to 8 wickets down for less than 50.
This victory moves Widnes up to 6th in the table and a win this week away at Alderley Edge would see Evans’ men leap frog the team from Moss Lane.
Evans will be determined to keep the team focused and keep playing attractive and aggressive cricket.
The second team are still on track to gain promotion.
With regular captain Steve Deane, unavailable, Widnes stalwart, Phil Catterall took the reigns and guided the side to a 6 wicket victory.
Congleton are the visitors this Saturday and on Sunday Widnes third team host Timperley.