DOUBLE SUCCESS FOR CHESHIRE IN BID FOR FINALS DAY PLACE
CHESHIRE moved to the brink of qualifying for the National Counties Cricket Association Twenty20 Cup finals day with two victories over Cumbria on Bank Holiday Monday. Cheshire had shared the spoils with Staffordshire at Leek on Sunday, but took maximum points the following day to put them in control of Group One.
They now top the table, two points clear of Staffs and four ahead of Cumbria, as they prepare for this weekend’s final group games. Nick Anderson takes his side to Northumberland knowing that two more wins will guarantee top spot in the section.
However, one victory may well be enough because of their runrate. Cumbria host Staffordshire in the other games, with both sides looking for a favour from Northumberland to help them deny Cheshire top spot.
But that may well be an optimistic hope given that Northumberland sit bottom of the table having lost five of their six matches. Cheshire made sure that their qualification aspirations remain firmly in their own hands with their victories over Cumbria at Toft. Cheshire amassed 147-6 in the opening game as Sam Perry led the way with a half-century.
He hit eight fours and one six in his 39-ball 54, receiving fine support from Alex Money (42no). Nico Watt (3-16) was the pick of the Cumbria attack.
Michael Slack fronted the Cumbria chase with 54, while former Durham batsman Gary Pratt chipped in with 25.
However, two wickets apiece from Andrew Jackson, Steve Green and Anderson saw Cumbria fall from 109-3 to 130-8 at the close. In game two, Cheshire batted first once again and reached 135-8 from their allocation.
Rob Sehmi and Harry Dearden contributed 46 and 33 respectively.
Lancashire seamer Richard Gleeson, Matthew Sempill and James Mcgown all struck twice for Cumbria.
Pratt (37) shone in Cumbria’s chase, but Cheshire managed to hold their nerve as Michael Finan scooped 3-20 to restrict the visitors to 130-9.
That leaves Cheshire with five wins out of six.
If Cheshire top the group, they will advance to finals day at Tring Park on Sunday, May 22.