Widnes 181 for three declared, Oxton 182 for six.

WIDNES elected to bat first on what looked an excellent batting wicket.

Pearson bowled seven maidens in his first eight overs and had James McCoy caught behind for one and Adam Landry dismissed with the very next ball.

Phil Catterall joined Steve Titchard and they took the score to 36 when Titchard was caught at slip for 28.

The veteran Alan Hitchmough, a late replacement for the injured Tony Hurdley, joined Catterall and slowly they began to rebuild the innings.

It was hard going with Pearson completing 13 overs conceding only 17 runs.

The 100 was reached in the 40th over and Catterall reached his half-century.

Hitchmough followed suit in the 55th over, striking O'Brien for a straight six.

Landry decided to forfeit a batting bonus point by continuing for a further over before declaring with the score on 181 for three (Catterall 85 not out and Hitchmough 59 not out).

Gareth Dyson conceded 10 from his first over but Anthony Nickson bowled Benson with his second delivery.

Oxton rattled along with Australian Wallis leading the charge.

Bappa Mukherjee was brought on and in his third over had Wallis well caught at slip by Landry for 32.

Ibra Ali joined Mukherjee to make it an all spin attack but Cross punished anything short.

Titchard replaced Ali and had Cross lbw in his second over for 33.

Three runs later Bander sliced Titchard to Walton at point to put Widnes right back in the game at 87 for four.

Victory appeared well within Oxton's grasp but Cashin mis-hit Ali to McCoy with the score on 149 and on 155 Spencer stumped Huston off Mukherjee.

Carewood joined Doggard, 42 not out, and their partnership of 27 saw Oxton home with four balls to spare.

Widnes put pressure on themselves by conceding 26 extras including 11 no balls.

This Saturday, they entertain Nantwich with wickets pitched at 1pm.

On Sunday, Bramhall are the visitors in the first round of the Cheshire cup, 1.30pm start.