Cheshire make the running

Nathan Dumelow's century helped Cheshire to post a daunting total © David Bailey

Cheshire made a fine start to their final Western Division Minor Counties Championship of the season against Cornwall at Nantwich.

Nathan Dumelow scored a brilliant 107 to help the table-toppers to a daunting 365 for eight from their 90 overs on Sunday.

Cornwall replied with 84 for two when play was halted 10 minutes early due to bad light, with Bowden's Adam Syddall taking two wickets.

Cornwall, who have to win to have any chance of making next month's four-day final at Alderley Edge, won the toss and invited the hosts to bat.

And the Cornishmen made the perfect start by getting rid of Danny Leech in the first over to leave the score at two for one.

But Dumelow was one of four men to make it past 50. Captain Andrew Hall, Ben Spendlove and James Duffy also raised their bats, hitting 56, 52 and 50 respectively.

Former Derbyshire man Dumelow starred with both bat and ball in the last fixture against Herefordshire – and he faced 130 balls to hit seven fours and seven sixes in this innings.

The 27-year-old shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 103 with wicketkeeper Matt Dawson, who finished 30 not out.

Syddall then got rid of Gary Thomas and Anthony Angrove to leave the visitors struggling at 34 for two, but Matt Rowe and ex-Somerset stalwart Keith Parsons are in the midst of an unbroken third-wicket stand of 50.

Cheshire have claimed four bonus points, while Cornwall, who need to score 215 to avoid the follow-on, have secured three.

A win will guarantee Cheshire a spot in the final, with team manager Sandy Scrimgeour saying: "It was a good day for us, especially after we lost that first wicket so quickly.

"Nathan batted superbly, but I keep on saying that if one person fails another will pick up the pieces. There is a fabulous team spirit amongst the lads."