Cheshire fall at the last

Former Somerset all-rounder Keith Parsons kept Cheshire at bay with a valuable 64

Cheshire suffered Minor Counties Championship heartbreak as Berkshire pipped them to a place in the final by claiming the Western Division title on the last day of the regular season.

Cheshire were just two wickets away from a final spot, but could only draw their game against fellow title rivals Cornwall at Nantwich, a match they needed to win.

The visitors, set 334 to win in 72 overs, closed on 261 for eight to ensure Berkshire topped the table.

Neston bowler Chris Finegan claimed second-innings figures of 5-83 from 19 overs to add to his first-innings five-wicket haul.

But it was not quite enough as former Somerset stalwart Keith Parsons top-scored for Cornwall with 64. Matt Robins also chipped in with 52.

Finegan took two early wickets, while Adam Syddall also struck, to help reduce the visitors to 30 for three at lunch.

But 35-year-old Parsons marshalled a middle-order recovery to foil Andy Hall's side.

Cheshire's batsmen went into the final day on 183 for seven in their second innings, leading by a healthy 287 runs.

Nathan Dumelow made his way to 81 before he was dismissed, and Daniel Berry fell one short of a useful half-century.

They shared a partnership of 76 for the eighth wicket before Cheshire were bowled out for 229.

Berkshire made it through to the final, which takes place from September 7-10, courtesy of a win against Wiltshire.

Meanwhile, three Cheshire players - Ben Spendlove, Adam Syddall and Matt Dawson - were awarded their county caps during the lunch interval.