CRICKET: Teenager McCoy impresses as Widnes progress.

Byline: MIKE TALBOT-BUTLER

WIDNES have never won the Jaguar House Cheshire Cup since they switched their allegiance from Lancashire cricket 11 years ago, but they stand a good chance of doing so this season,especially after the way they despatched Nantwich in the third round at Beaconsfield Road on Sunday.

Against fellow members of the Murray Smith Accountants Cheshire County League Premier Division, they wound up with an eight-wicket tri-umph after restricting their visitors to 158-7, Owen Sadler 65,Bapa Mukherjee 3- 25. The raw and exciting talents of 16 year -oldJames McCoy were displayed after tea when he lashed a rapid 65 and with Steve Titchared weighing in with 54 Widnes won with overs to spare.

Neston have been short of confidence this season, but they cheered their supporters with a 77-run win against Grappenhall at Parkgate after posting 194-9,Chris Hackett 54. Chris Finnegan returned his best figures since joining the club from Bootle with a 3-9 return as Grappenhall were bowled out for 117 and the match finished in semi-darkness after rain.

Oxton ended a bleak run with a six-wicket home win against Bredbury St Mark's who recovered from 58-5 to total148, Paul Wood 65,Neil Cross 4-37.

Simon Curwood (56no) and Joel Huston (40)led Oxton's reply of 150 -4.

In the first round of the Cheshire County League Fred Graham Trophy,Toft won a high- scoring game at Congleton by 28 runs after posting 264-7 (Jamie Noble 61no,Richard Emslie 52no,Chris Mountford 4-32) then restricting Congleton to 236-9(Rob Porter 100,Davie Robinson 45,Jamie Noble 5-38).

Tattenhall were given a walk over by Weaverham who withdrew.

The Alderley Edge v Urmston tie has yet to be played.

FRED GRAHAM TROPHY second round draw (games duringJuly): Poynton v Heaton Mersey, Cheadle Hulme v Grappenhall,Bowdon v Middlewich,Hyde v Winnington Park,Toft v Birkenhead Park,Tattenhall v Alderley Edge or Urmston,Cheadle v Nantwich,Chester Boughton Hall v Bollington.

JAGUAR HOUSE CHESHIRE CUP: Birkenhead Park v Congleton,Oulton Park v Hyde,Timperley v Chester Boughton Hall,Alderley Edge v Bowdon (allJuly 4),Cheadle Hulme v Macclesfield (July 11).

JAGUAR HOUSE CHESHIRE SHIELD 3rd round results: Parkfield Liscard 227- 8 Old Parkonians 137,Bollington 162-4Burnage 160,Pott Shrigley 178-9Alderley Park 179-3,Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge 155Ashton on Mersey 156-4.

Remaining games are all on July 4: Heaton Mersey v Romiley,Appleton v Trafford,Middlewich v Hawk Green,Malpas v Winsford.