Lords NWC Cricket League

Widnes Recs Second XI v

Joy Mining Second XI

VICTORY would only do for Widnes Recs if they were to become champions and Tony Poole's team never let anyone down.

They destroyed Joy Mining to win back to back championships without losing a game all season.

Poole won the toss and put Joy Mining in to bat on a firm dry wicket at Liverpool Road and Joy Mining were all out for 76 thanks to impressive bowling displays from Cafferty and Poole and some fine wicket keeping by Alan Magee who took three catches and one stumping.

Brian Cafferty finished with figures of 17-5-34-5, skipper Poole 9-1-26-3, Ste McNicholas chipped in with two wickets 9-4-14-2.

So Widnes won the league from Euxton by 11 points, veteran Jimmy Freeman 30 not out and the inform Jimmy Ashall 39 not out, knocked the runs off to claim the 28 points and the title.

Widnes Recs Second XI v

West Leigh Second XI

NWC Cup Semi-Final

WIDNES Recs stay on course for the double after putting out West Leigh in the semi-final at Liverpool Road in a thrilling match.

Poole won the toss and put West Leigh in to bat.

West Leigh got off to a good start.

Blood was out for 25, caught brilliantly by Beddingfield off the bowling of Cafferty.

Then Ward was out for 40 by the superb Phil Dale lbw and then the dangerous Roylance came in but was out for nine after a brilliant catch by Jim Ashall off the bowling of Yearsley.

Les Atherton took two quick wickets.

West Leigh were all out for 149 off 40 overs.

Widnes Recs got off to a solid start and Jimmy Ashall again showing his full repertoire of shots, hit a quick 24 before being caught and bowled Wilkinson.

Rob Yearsley was hitting bounderies for fun but was stumped for 36 by Ward , but Widnes were on 81 for two and had the total in their sights.

West Leigh took three quick wickets before the experienced Ste McNicholas, 36 not out, and the hero of the day Jason Jag Godwin, 18 no out, showed a cool head under pressure.

So Widnes Recs now meet Bickershaw from Wigan in the final to try to emulate their first team's double winning performance last season.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.