LAST-WICKET pairing Gareth Dyson and Danny Moore snatched a much-needed Widnes home victory from the jaws of defeat in a low-scoring thriller against Chester Boughton Hall.
Chester, lying second in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League's ECB Premier Division, had recovered from 33-6 to make a still-modest 103 all out.
But this looked set to be enough until a Widnes late show on a pitch unusually weighted to the bowlers.
The Beaconsfield Road side promptly followed up with a thumping Cheshire Cup victory at Bramhall.
Against Boughton Hall in a game reduced to 98 overs, captain Ian Spencer had elected to field and found his bowlers backing him all the way.
New-ball pairing Dyson and Neil Bar-fuss were very economical from the start and built pressure.
Spencer's bowling changes were also inspired with Sean Moore taking 2-12 and Tom Evans 3-31.
An innings of 38 by David Atkin rescued Chester to some degree before Hurdley mopped up the tail with 2-6. Widnes' outfielding had been outstanding.
In reply, Widnes lost Steve Titchard to a very dubiou decision - one of five Widnes batsman given out lbw.
After Widnes had slipped to 26-3, Danny Naughton (27) and Barfuss (21) played positively.
Wickets continued to fall and at 92-9, Widnes had looked like losing.
At Bramhall on Sunday, the put-in visitors batted positively for 238-8 off 45 overs.
Naughton (51) and Sean Moore (58) looked class acts and veteran Richard Evans, with an unbeaten 46 off 30 balls, rolled back the years.
In reply, the hosts never got going - Moore returning 4-28 off eight overs.
He was well supported by Dyson, whose 2-22 included the wickets of Bramhall dangermen Hall and Cantello.
Once the visitors were 53-6, it was effectively game over. But a fighting 62 from Wilkinson gave Bramhall respectability at 148ao (Neil Young 3-27).
This weekend sees Widnes at Oulton Park in the league.
The 2nds are at home to Oxton before on Sunday entertaining Tattenhall in the cup (1pm).
The seconds' game at Chester BH was washed out last weekend.
But Barry McCurdy's young Widnes 3rds (25pts) beat Ashley (11) on Sunday at Beaconsfield Road.
Ashley had posted 159 for 7 from 45 overs, Eddie Barwise and Jamal Khojani taking two wickets each.
Widnes' opening batters Jack Webb and Khojani made a solid partnership of 53 but both then went quickly.
Gareth Yandell steadied things before hitting a scintillating 54.
More quick wickets fell but Tom Mitchell and No11 Phil Mason lasted four overs - Mitchell's superb mid-wicket drive in the 43rd over yielding the winning runs.
