Widnes Cricket Club

Hyde v Widnes

DESPITE the valiant efforts of Gareth Dyson and Ibraham Ali, Widnes lost by 76 at Hyde on Saturday.

Hyde won the toss and elected to bat.

Ashworth and Caton made a cautious start against the accurate seam bowling of Dyson and Neil Young.

In his third over Dyson had Caton caught behind and in his sixth and seventh overs took further wickets at which point he had the impressive figures of three for 17.

Young, after an economic six overs for 14 runs, gave way to Hurdley but Tony was obviously bowling well within himself following his late recovery from a knee injury.

Ali replaced Dyson and started with two maidens.

Unfortunately for Widnes, opener Ashworth was now looking comfortable and was well supported by the aggressive Peacock.

Having been 33 for three these two took the score on to 139 before Ali had Peacock caught for 49.

Ali eventually bowled Ashworth for 71 but the remaining Hyde batsmen continued the momentum.

Despite a valiant unchanged spell of 21 overs from Ibi Ali, who finished with seven wickets for 57 runs, Hyde had amassed a healthy 253 when their last wicket fell.

In the absence of the injured Catterall, Tony Hurdley opened the batting with Brent Lodding.

They took the score to 15 before both fell in successive overs.

Andy Snook and captain Richard Evans took the score on to 29 before Evans was bowled by Butterworth.

Alan Hitchmough soon followed lbw to the same bowler.

Two runs later Snook was caught behind and Widnes were 35 for five.

Batting at number six Gareth Dyson immediately showed his attacking prowess hitting three consecutive fours off the previously impressive Butterworth.

However, neither Buckley nor late inclusion Meredith could give sustained support and the score further deteriorated to 58 for seven.

At this point Neil Young joined Dyson and they both took the attack to the Hyde bowlers.

Young had made 20 in a partnership of 34 when he was well caught in the deep.

Enter Ibi Ali who had no intention of being outdone by fellow bowlers Dyson and Young.

As has been apparent all season he is no mug with the bat but now had the opportunity to post a reasonable score.

The partnership put on a valuable 85 runs and four batting bonus points before Ibraham fell for an excellent 35.

Sadly Dyson, perhaps not expecting Higgins to last very long, fell without further addition to the score and Widnes were all out for 177.

Still without a victory Widnes this week entertain leaders Macclesfield.

What a first win that would be.

Wickets pitched at 12noon.

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