 Mersey lost heavily against top of the table Widnes after a batting collapse.
With the loss of keeper Pete August (holiday) Will Appleton (illness) and Waqar Rashid (family commitments) Mersey brought back skipper Mark Bennett after his layoff due to a broken thumb, spinner Ian Hughes and 2nd XI Captain, Bobby Sachar.
On a weekend where the writer has lost track of the numerous players who were unavailable for the senior sides through injury, illness and holidays the Section had none of the 7 players that had taken the keepers gloves in the senior sides this season. The position eventually on the first team coming down to volunteers or pressed men and Matt Norbury took the gloves.
Availabilty has been a major problem for the section this season, and it has been disappointing the number of let downs we have had, after teams have been selected. Very rarely is the team selected the one that takes to the field on a saturday and it would appear that some players often fail to realise the impact this has the organisors and the other teams within the Club.
But back to today and on winning the toss Mersey elected to bat and on 59 for 0 it looked as though the home side would post a good total, but the wind changed and everything from there went down hill. Opener, Hash Maitra on 24 pulled up with a calf strain and had to be helped from the pitch. Shortly after followed by fellow opener Matt caught on 35, and with the score on 98 for 4 with 25 overs gone at drinks the ball was in Merseys court to look to build a couple of partnerships and press on for batting points and a reasonable total to defend - with 180 an achievable target.
Unfortunately this was not to be and within the next 7 overs 6 wickets fell for just 16 runs. Hash bravely returned with overseas G as runner but could not press on and was eventually caught. Widnes opening bolwer, Danny Moore ending with 6 for 48 taking his tally for the season to 50 wickets. Widnes kept to the task and with a couple of excellent catches, helped by the Mersey batsmans shots and decisions they placed themselves in the driving seat in their push for maximum points and a shot at the 1st Division title.
St Winnifreds School held their summer fete at the club today which included the arrival of the local police with their squad car and sirens and horns frequently being tested but the Mersey players could unfortunately not blame this for upsetting their concentration in what can only be discribed as being a bad day at the batting office.
With the innings over and only 32 overs completed a short delay occured as teas were sorted out. Mersey then returned to the field, with just 110 runs on the board to defend. With Hash obviously unable to field, a number of phone calls were made to try and find someone to field for the home side, Widnes kindly pressed ganged Tom Evans in to sub fielding for us until U15 Tom Webb came on the ground to watch the end of the game and was asked to put spare whites on and go out to field which he willing did, just before 4th XI Manager Duncan Ingham arrived with whites in a bag happy to answer the call if required - not needed he retired to the bar.
With overs in abundance and a small total Widnes openers reached 73 before Tamor made the one and only break through of the game, Hurdley (15) Danny Naughton finishing on 54 no. The Mersey bowlers were rotated but with little effect. Points Widnes 25 Mersey 3. A disappointing end to the day and the run of winning games.
Mersey look to bounce back next weekend when they travel to Upton.
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