THE Ken Matthews Trophy is back in what Ditton CC consider its rightful place - their trophy cabinet.

The Widnes side regained the Halton Bayer Cricket League's Division One title with two games to spare.

Fittingly, they defeated last season's title winners Parklands to seal the championship.

Parklands came into this game with aspirations of retaining the title but found that winning it and defending it are totally different ball games.

Batting first, Parklands got off to a good start, with Price and Negi, who is Aigburth's pro in Saturday cricket, making some good scoring strokes.

But disaster struck in the third over with the score on 12. Price, having looped a shot towards extra cover, fell victim to a good diving catch by Ditton skipper Rob Morris.

A few balls later, Negi, attempting a risky second run, was run out for nine after a tremendous chase and throw by Rob Magee - much to the delight of the Ditton players.

Paul Howard steadied the ship with some good strokes to all parts.

He was ably helped by D Smith and M Holland, who gave as much of the strike to their in-form colleague.

But despite Howard's 44 not out, Parklands were restricted to a modest 75-5.

Ditton's reply suffered a shaky start - with the score on eight, Les Atherton was clean bowled by Smith for six.

Rob Magee came to the crease but was soon on his way back to the pavilion, having made just three.

Gaz Hatton, at four, was to have a steadying influence.

But with the score on 23, he lost his batting partner - Morgan playing the ball onto his stumps on nine.

This brought captain Rob Morris to the middle, to play a major role in securing the result for Ditton.

Both he and Hatton (22) scored freely and brought the asking rate down with each over.

Hatton fell with the total on 67 - having added 44 with his captain for the fourth wicket, he went the same way as Morgan, playing on.

Dave Giles came in to aid his captain in the run chase, but was run out taking a risky second when trying to give captain Rob Morris the strike.

Billy Morris came to the crease in the final over, with the pressure now on both sides. Five runs were needed for victory.

Parklands' cause wasn't helped when the first ball was adjudged wide.

A couple of twos tied the scores. A draw was sufficient for Ditton to take the title but with the field close in, Rob Morris despatched the ball for a boundary four runs.

Rob Morris was unbeaten with 26, while brother Billy was nought not out, in the final total of 79-5.