Berry leads Cheshire home

Daniel Berry and Matt Dawson shared an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 135 to guide Cheshire to a thrilling victory over Wales Minor Counties at Chester Boughton Hall.

Hyde all-rounder Berry finished unbeaten on 85, his highest score for the 1st XI, while wicketkeeper Dawson, from Bramhall, was 58 not out as the defending Minor Counties champions successfully chased 346 for victory on the final day.

The hosts won with four wickets to spare, but a match of high drama could have swung either way as both sides looked to force a result.

Resuming on 226 for five, Wales were dismissed for 337 in 75.1 overs in their second innings. Adam Syddall was Cheshire's star bowler with 6-67 from 11.1 overs, leaving his side approximately 80 overs in which to overhaul their target.

Despite losing opener Warren Goodwin, who fell for a second duck of the match, and slipping to 90 for three when first-innings centurion Ben Spendlove departed for 21, the hosts dug deep.

Skipper Andy Hall led the way with a spirited 90 from 120 balls, which included 12 fours and two sixes.

Hall was well supported by James Duffy, whose important 67-ball 56 featured 10 fours, but more importantly contributed to the pair putting on 93 for the fourth wicket.

Both batsmen fell without addition to the score to leave Cheshire in trouble at 183 for five.

Despite the loss of Nathan Dumelow for 20, Berry and Dawson batted superbly to guide Cheshire to a second successive championship win.

"That's a great win for us - to chase 346 on the last day to win is a fantastic achievement from the boys," said Hall.

"We knew it was a good batting wicket, but ever since Wales got 400 on the first day we've had to work really hard to get back into the match.

"It really was a superb team performance. Adam Syddall bowled really well to give us a sniff of victory and, luckily, we were able to put together some good partnerships to win the match.

"Mine and Duffers' partnership was important, but Dan Berry's and Dawson's partnership at the end was superb. We're all delighted with this win."

Scorecard:

Wales 406-8 (Merilaht 97 not out, Rees 92, O'Shea 68, Harris 46); Dumelow 4-151, Syddall 2-76)
Cheshire 398-9 dec (Spendlove 145, Hall 56, Duffy 53; Harris 3-50, Owen 3-65)
Wales 337 (Harris 56, O'Shea 53; Syddall 6-67)
Cheshire 346-6 (Hall 90, Berry 85 not out, Dawson 58 not out, Duffy 56)