A PULSATING Hyde Cup Final at Widnes Rec was won by Halton Whitfords by nine runs.

It was the club's second success in the competition haveing previously won it in 1990.

Ditton CC skipper Robbie Morris won the toss and asked Whitfords to bat first.

In their 20 overs Halton Whitfords totalled 110 for five wickets. This was due to a big hitting innings of 68 (including eight fours and seven twos) by Mark Cahill who had a bit of luck as he was dropped three times in his innings by the butter fingers of three Ditton fielders.

Cahill helped by Andy Scowcroft 17 (one four and three twos) put on 37 for the second wicket and was then assisted by Ian Williams 12 (two fours) to put on 29 runs for the third wicket.

Phil Dale was Ditton's most successful bowler claiming three wickets for 35 runs from his five overs.

Opening bowlers Wayne Lamey, one wicket for 22 runs from five overs and Tony Pool, no wickets for 18 runs from his five overs bowled with great control and restricted the Whitford batsmen to scoring only 41 runs from the first 10 overs.

Whitfords increased their batting momentum in the second-half of their innings, scoring an additional 70 runs in 10 overs from Ditton bowlers Dave Evans and Dale.

It was the feeling of a large number of spectators that on a good batting wicket the Whitfords total of 110 was 10 runs short of a winning total.

Ditton's innings got off to a good start in reply with Evans (17) and Ste Morgan (11) putting on 27 runs in six overs for the first wicket. Skipper Robbie Morris (9) helped Evans to put on 13 runs for the second wicket and then Morris helped Wayne Lamey to put on 14 runs for the loss of the third wicket.

Although Ditton were ahead of the run chase at 10 overs having scored 4 runs for two wickets their batsmen were kept pinned down by the accurate bowling of Tony White, five overs 22 runs, no wicket, Jamie Hill, three overs for seven runs, one wicket and Mark Cahill, two overs for eight runs, two wickets.

Highlight of the Whitfords bowling was the 16th over bowled by Mark Cahill which was a maiden over.

Wayne Lamey (30) with one six, two fours and four twos struck out with determined batting and was helped by Tony Poole to put on 37 runs from six overs.

Poole was bowled by Andy Scowcroft from the second ball of the 19th over in which Scowcroft conceded only two runs.

Ditton CC required 21 runs for victory from the last two overs (12 balls).

Lamey was joined at the wicket by Phil Dale and with just two runs added Lamey was run out in going for a second run from the first ball of the last over. This dismissal was a big blow to Ditton's chances.

A valiant effort by Dale in the last over gave him eight runs off the bowling of Jamie Hill. Ditton's total was 101 for five wickets.

Highlights of the Whitfords fielding was a brilliant catch by Colin Kudrycz who caught a ball which went over his head but he turned round and took a running catch to dismiss Dave Evans.

The Whitfords' four bowlers all bowled accurately and received good support from their fielders.

The field placings by skipper Ian Conway kept the Ditton scoring rate in check.

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