WIDNES travelled to Bramhall on Saturday last, hoping to improve their mid-table position at the expense of the home side who were in third position and a strong challenger for promotion.

The outcome was a draw in an entertaining game which yielded Widnes 11 points.

Phil Catterall won the toss and asked Bramhall to bat.

Opening batsmen Gane and Mellor were soon into their stride.

Gane hitting two boundaries off Howie Fox's first over with Mellor following suit off his third over.

After 10 overs Woods and Fox gave way to Ali and Hurdley, who had reported fit once again.

The first success for Widnes came in the 17th over when Ibra Ali caught and bowled Mellor for 12.

Gane was joined by Lancashire professional Paddy McKeown and the took the score on to 87 when Hurdley had McKeown caught behind by Brent Lodding off Ali.

Three runs later Hurdley took his second wicket, McCray caught by Bryson in the gully.

Trevor Gane completed a fine century but then became the second stumping victim for Lodding again off the bowling of Ali.

In the final overs Ali and Hurdley were to take two more wickets each to finish with figures of 20 overs, five for 63 and 15 overs, four for 73 respectively.

The Bramhall declaration was made at the end of the 15th over with their score on 199 for nine.

Paul Bryson and Brent Lodding made an excellent start to the Widnes chase.

It was only the introduction of spin bowler McCray that was to stem the flow of runs when he had Lodding leg before in the 22nd over.

At this point the score was 84.

Phil Catterall and Bryson made further excellent headway taking the score on to 131 by the 36th over.

With only 70 wanted for victory in 14 overs, Widnes were in a strong position.

The situation was to change rapidly in a seven over spell which brought Bramhall four wickets and Widnes only a further 10 runs.

Catterall went for 24, Hitchmough for nought, Hurstfield for one and most importantly Bryson fell for an excellent 71.

Tony Hurdley and Simon Tabb did their best to rebuild the innings with scores of 24 and 12 respectively.

But by the 48th over when Andrew Woods became the seventh victim of McCray.

Widnes needed a further 14 for victory.

This was too much for Ali and Fox who managed to bat out the last two overs to leave Widnes 10 runs short at 190 for nine.

Widnes, who remain in seventh position, have a free weekend this Saturday while the 2nd XI entertain Macclesfield.

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