Performance can boost confidence

WIDNES produced arguably their best performance of the season when falling just short of taking all 10 Brooklands wickets needed for victory.

- BY CHRIS ROWBOTTOM

Palitha Kumara was the star for Widnes, taking five wickets for 53 from his 17 overs.

Hard as they toiled, the other Widnes bowlers could not match his control or accuracy, allowing Brooklands to block out a draw when eight wickets down, chasing the Widnes total of 224 for 8. The draw still leaves Widnes firmly at the bottom of the table but should provide some much-needed confidence for the challenges ahead.

The match began with Widnes winning the toss and deciding to bat first.

Rohan Luthra and Louis Burns made a solid start, putting on 66 runs before Luthra was bowled by Kevin Carroll for 47.

Luke McCoy joined Burns and Widnes went past 100 before Burns was trapped LBW for 32 by the same bowler.

Aaqib Uppal managed to run himself out for 12 and when McCoy was bowled by Jack Bagshaw for 22, the Widnes innings was in danger of losing momentum.

From 124 for 3, Widnes slumped to 153 for 6, with Matty Burns making only 7 and Owen Price a duck.