Spirited display sees Widnes held

WIDNES, looking to bounce back from defeat at Hyde, proved themselves more than a match for high flying Chester BH in a pulsating game which produced more than 550 runs, with the result in doubt until the 110th over of the day.

With a beautifully prepared pitch and quick outfield, Chester skipper James Duffy had no hesitation in deciding to bat first.

Making his home debut, Fergus McKenna got Widnes off to the best possible start, having Goodwin caught with just 12 on the board.

Money joined Moore, and looked to dominate the bowling and they were particularly harsh on home team debutant Jonathon Osborne.

The first fifty came up in the 13th over before McKenna claimed his second wicket of Money for 24. Harry Killoran was bowled cheaply by Hafiz and at 91 for 3 Widnes were well in the game despite Soni being injured and unable to bowl.

Duffy joined Moore and looked to increase the tempo.

Hafiz bowled Moore for a well made 73 and when the same bowler had Qureshi caught for 19, Chester were well placed at 190 for 5.

Metcalf joined his skipper, looking for quick runs and quick runs he got.

With Widnes skipper, Tom Evans restricted by an injured thumb, rotating his bowlers, Metcalf plundered 67 off just 35 balls before becoming Osborne’s first home wicket.

McKenna dismissed Duffy for 86 and with the score on 302, Williams was out for a duck. Chester had used their full allocation of 55 overs, mindful of the strong Widnes batting line up, who chased down over 280 last time the teams met.

Hafiz and McKenna were the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets a piece

Chasing a total of over 300 was always going to be a difficult task, made more daunting by the fact that Chris Kirby was injured during the course o the Chester innings and was taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated finger.

Kieran Maher stepped into open with Chughtai and looked well suited for the role.

A 50 opening partnership was made in 11 overs, and the threat of opening quick bowler, Clarke seemed to been blunted. However with the score on 83 Maher fell victim to first change bowler, Killoran for a stylish 42.

McKenna fell victim to the same bowler for 9 and when Burns was out LBW for 8, Widnes hopes seemed to rest on Ali Chughtai. Clarke then returned to the attack and immediately had McCoy caught behind for 0.

At 124 for 4 Rohan Luthra was making his home debut and with Chester exerting lots of pressure it was a measure of both batters maturity that neither looked in any trouble as they set about rebuilding the innings.

Chughtai in particular looked on fine touch with some flashing cover drives.

A drinks break caused a lapse of concentration and Chughtai was bowled behind his legs by Williams for a run a ball 86.

Luthra went on to make a well deserved 50, before falling to a juggling catch close in by Money.Soni was then LBW for 5 leaving Widnes at 207 for 7 with just over 10 overs remaining.

With Evans and Hafiz showing determination and no lack of skill, Widnes were playing with the resolve required to be a leading contender in the league. With Kirby returning from hospital and willing to bat if another wicket fell Evans and Hafiz mixed attack with defence to frustrate Chester.

Hafiz in particular showed a range of shots which he had only showed glimpses of before.

The match ended drawn with Evan and Hafiz undefeated on 6 and 46 respectively, with Widnes totalling 255 for 7 from their 55 overs .

After the match Evans was quick to praise his team, particularly their fielding and catching.

Given the batter friendly conditions it would have been easy to let Chester rack up a very high score and be able to declare early.

Widnes stuck to their guns and and Chester, fearful of Widnes chasing down their total, paid Widnes the complement of fully batting out their overs.

Evans was impressed with the batting of both his youngsters Chughtai and Luthra and the all round contribution of Qamar Hafiz but most of all he was pleased with the overall spirit of his players.

Next Saturday Widnes are at Oulton Park, where it is notoriously difficult to get a result.