Controversy as Widnes miss out on fourth
BY CHRIS ROWBOTTOM
WIDNES started their last match of the season knowing victory over mid table Oxton would guarantee a fourth-placed league finish, with entry into next seasons national knockout competition as the prize.
With this in mind ,Widnes captain, Tom Evans, having won the toss decided to bowl first, confident that his team could chase down any total posted by Oxton. Little did he know that a controversial decision later in the day would have such a dramatic effect on the out come of the match.
Luke Filer ,has been the main run scorer for Oxton all season ,and he didn’t let his team down. Despite losing opening partner Crick for 8 and Harry Dawson for 12, Filer looked in prime form, stroking five 4s and two 6s before being well caught by Hafiz for 47 off the bowling of Ben Hewitt.
Mahdi Quadri joined Henry Dobson looking to rebuild the innings and was quickly into his stride. Whilst Dobson was happy to play the supporting role, Quadri played some delightful straight drives and raced to his fifty off just 61 balls. It was therefore a surprise that he fell victim of a good catch by Burns off Soni without adding to his total. Grant Hughes could only make 1 before being bowled by Soni and Jack Breheny was neatly caught by Hewitt for 7. Next ball Andy Roberts fell LBW.
Oxton were now struggling on 183 for seven. Matthew Jones’ long stay at the crease was ended by a sharp catch at slip by Majeed off Hafiz for 51. Jack Curran became Evans’ third victim via a stumping by the veteran Kirby and Stenhouse lasted only two balls before becoming Hafiz’ second victim, 185 all out.
Ali Chughtai opened the innings with his regular partner, Kirby, but was caught off Jack Conan for just 4. Kirby was next to be dismissed, adjudged LBW for 18 off Stenhouse, and when Majeed ended his season for a first ball duck, Widnes were struggling at 22 for three.
Burns joined Luke McCoy. With Burns playing the supportive role, McCoy struck seven boundaries before uncharacteristically playing an indifferent shot and was bowled by Stenhouse for 34.
Jimmy McCoy played one sumptuous drive before Stenhouse trapped him LBW for 4. With
Burns just looking to occupy the crease it fell to Alex Hewitt to advance the score. Hewitt brought up his fifty in 54 balls with 6 fours and one six.
Such was Hewitt’s dominance, Burns only contributed 6 runs to the 50 partnership. Perhaps mindful of his scoring rate, Burns then chipped Dobson to the short leg side boundary and was caught by Breheny for 24.
Qamar Hafiz restrained his normal big hitting and looked to give Hewitt the strike at every opportunity. With just 34 needed, and Hewitt well set, Widnes could begin to dream of victory. Then disaster and controversy intervened. Going for a run from an overthrow, Hewitt was adjudged run out from a throw which appeared to have missed the wickets, only for one bail to be disturbed. With the umpire surrounded by vociferous Oxton fielders Hewitt was adjudged not to have made his ground and the finger was raised and he had to depart.
Hafiz was adjudged LBW for 6 and Widnes’ fourth placed finish now rested on the young shoulders of Aaron Soni and captain Tom Evans. Playing cautiously, Soni accumulated 7 runs but with the score on 182, just 4 runs from victory, Evans fell to another LBW decision, sending the Oxton fielders to unstrained joy.
After the match Evans was unable to express his disappointment at having fourth place snatched away by the result at Oulton Park. With no further opportunity to put the record straight this season, Evans must, in the coming weeks, reflect on the many successes he and his team have enjoyed this season.
A final position of 6th place is no small achievement, especially given the hesitant start to the campaign.
There was better news for the second XI who gained promotion to the first division, with victory over Hale Barns by 182 runs. Skipper Steve Dean can take much credit for how the team has played all season.