Cheshire leave it late in thriller

Cheshire went three points clear at the top of the MCCA Championship Western Division following a fine four-wicket victory against Berkshire.

Needing 172 to win from 29 overs on the final afternoon of the three-day match at Chester Boughton Hall, Cheshire held their nerve to triumph with three balls to spare.

Skipper Andy Hall and wicketkeeper Matt Dawson guided their county over the winning line and helped them establish a welcome lead over second-placed Cornwall at the top of the Western Division.

"It was an excellent team performance," said Cheshire team manager Sandy Scrimgeour. "There were some really good performances, especially from Chris Tipper and Rick Moore."

Tipper hit a fine 82 on his Cheshire debut, while all-rounder Moore weighed in with two half-centuries and four wickets on his championship debut.

Having impressed in the MCCA Knockout Trophy, Moore was given his chance in the three-day game - and he did not disappoint with innings of 61 and 50, as well as bowling returns of 2-23 and 2-49, both from 13 overs.

Tipper, meanwhile, contributed a fine 82 on his county debut, an innings which included 12 fours and one six as Cheshire replied with 402 for eight declared to Berkshire's first-innings 256. Tom Lambert was Berkshire's best bowler with 4-117.

Nathan Dumelow starred with 5-96 from 30 overs as Cheshire dismissed Berkshire, who won the toss and elected to bat, in 84.2 overs.

In reply, Tipper led the way, with Ben Spendlove (81), Dawson (73), Moore (61) and Hall (39) all in the runs as they opened up a 146-run first-innings lead.

Moore and Tipper shared an impressive second-wicket stand of 130, while Spendlove and Dawson put on 93 for the seventh wicket as Cheshire took control.

Struggling on 53 for four overnight, Berkshire slumped to 78 for six as they slipped towards an innings defeat.

But Craig Crowe hit a resilient 165 as the visitors recovered to post 317. Syddall was the pick of the Cheshire bowlers with 3-66 from 24.3 overs, with Finegan (2-57), Moore (2-49) and Daniel Berry (2-52) also in the wickets.

Moore then led an exciting run-chase with 50 from 41 balls, with Spendlove (35), Warren Goodwin (20) and Tipper (23) contributing with the bat as Cheshire triumphed in a dramatic finish.

"That's a great win for us, especially after we were frustrated by the rain against Cornwall and could only get a draw," reflected Hall.

"It's nice to be top of the table after two games, but there's still a long way to go and we'll be looking to improve on a few areas of our game. I was very pleased with the way the team performed."

Scorecard

Berkshire 256 (Shilvock 66; Dumelow 5-96) & 317 (Crowe 165; Syddall 3-66)
Cheshire 402-8 dec (Tipper 82, Spendlove 81, Dawson 73, Moore 61; Lambert 4-117) & 172-6 (Moore 50)

Cheshire won by four wickets