CHESHIRE KEEP THEIR T20 TITLE HOPES INTACT IN FINE STYLE

CHESHIRE highlighted why they are one of the most dangerous Twenty20 sides on the NCCA circuit as they booked their place at finals day.

Cheshire headed to Gosforth, the home of South Northumberland Cricket Club, knowing two wins would secure top spot in Group One. Northumberland, who finished bottom of the standings, put up a fight in the second game, but had no answer to Cheshire’s batting brilliance as they secured twin wins. That means Cheshire will head to Tring Park on May 22 to line up alongside Dorset, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire as they look to add to the T20 title they won in 2015.

Cheshire who were also finalists in 2018, finished their group programme with seven victories out of eight, their only blemish being defeat by Staffordshire at Leek last weekend.

They were back to their best in the north east, though, as they continued their fine run of form in the competition. On a quick-scoring ground, Northumberland were limited to 139-5 from their allocation in the formative stages of the day.

John Oswell gave the hosts a rapid start with a 38-ball 53, while Stuart Poynter (29) and Matthew Brown (23) also made handy contributions. But Cheshire dragged the innings back with skipper Nick Anderson proving to be exceptional with the ball as he captured 3-25.

That target was a walk in the park for Cheshire, who romped to a 10-wicket triumph inside 16 overs. Rob Sehmi blazed 12 fours and three sixes in his 86 not out, which came off 46 balls, with opening partner Sam Perry adding an unbeaten 51. Cheshire faced a sterner proposition in the second match as North found the batting form which has eluded them this year. Alasdair Appleby hit 102 not out - featuring 13 fours and three sixes - to form the backbone of Northumberland’s 184-1. Oswell added 45 and there was 34 from Poynter.

That may well have tested some counties, but Cheshire didn’t look troubled as they made it twin wins on the day. Sam Perry constructed 63 not out, while Sehmi - the second leading run scorer in the country in the format with 339 - made a blistering 53. Harry Dearden weighed in with 26 before Will Evans made 36 not out to seal an eight-wicket win.