Disappointing start to season

WIDNES returned to Premier League action with a much-changed team as they faced regular title chasers Hyde on the opening weekend of league action.

- BY CHRIS ROWBOTTOM

With the departure of Qamar Hafiz and Fraser Bartholomew, and with Matty Burns out injured, Widnes gave league debuts to bowlers Tashaun Leacock, Trent McKeegan and Pranarsh Parikh.

However, they found themselves on the losing side as the Widnes batters failed to come to terms with the Hyde bowling attack.

Having won the toss and electing to field first, Leacock and McKeenan were quickly into the wickets.

In only the second over, Leacock took the much-prized wicket of Luke Young for just a single.

More quick wickets fell to both Leacock and McKeenan and with Hyde reduced to 5 for 66, Widnes’ new skipper, Alex Hewitt, must have thought an early victory was on the cards.