WIDNES returned to winning ways with two emphatic victories at the weekend.

They defeated Cholmondeley by 138 runs at home on Saturday and stay top of the Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2, eleven points ahead of Winnington Park.

On Sunday they travelled to Division 1 side Marple in the leagues Fred Graham Trophy and emerged victorious by ten wickets.

At the Beaconsfield Road on Saturday Paul Catterall won the toss and elected to bat.

Simon Tabb and Tony Hurdley opened and had notched up 26 runs off the first four overs, when Briscow surprisingly bowled out Tabb for 14.

Mukherjee joined Hurdley and the pair added a further 97 runs in commanding fashion, before Mukherjee misjudged the pace and spooned a catch to mid on.

This brought Ian Maher to the crease and, despite a few early nervous moments, he too was soon in a punishing mood.

Hurdley reached an excellent century in the 46th over before falling to a catch at long off and Maher reached an equally impressive half century, remaining at 59 not out when Catterall declared after 48 0vers with 228 for 3 on the board.

Abdul Monayem and Andrew Woods opened the bowling for Widnes to great effect with Woods taking a wicket with his second ball, care of a good catch from Mukherjee.

A second wicket for Woods in his next over and one to Monayem saw the visitors reeling at 20 for 3.

There was to be no respite and when Ibra Ali replaced Woods, Cholmondeley were staring defeat in the face at 60 for 6.

Six overs from Ali saw him capture a further two wickets for 10 runs. Mukherjee was brought in but after a single over Catterall brought Monayem back into the attack and he promptly bowled numbers ten and eleven to leave Widnes comfortable victors with 22 overs to spare.

Monayem recorded 4 for 43 from 13 and Woods 3 for 19 off 8.

The Widnes pair were back in action again at Marple although on this occasion Woods remained wicketless after his seven overs.

It was John Moss who stole the limelight early on taking three wickets and another for Catterall and two for Howie Fox left the tale exposed for Monayem to return and cause havoc.

Four wickets for just one run saw Marple dismissed for 97 and having rested himself on the previous day Catterall opened the Widnes batting with the recalled Brian Tobin.

Marple succumbed after 22 overs. Tobin made an excellent 60 not and was backed up with 31 from Catterall to seal a ten wicket win.

Widnes meet Irby on Saturday in the league and Congleton on Sunday in the Cheshire Cup. The second XI play Alderley Edge on Saturday and host Didsbury on Sunday.