Rain fails to dampen Cheshire spirits

Defending Minor Counties champions Cheshire are flying high at the top of the Championship Western Division despite a rain-affected draw with Oxfordshire.

Last year's winners, who have already beaten Wiltshire and Wales Minor Counties this season, shaded the draw points 8-7 after heavy rain frustrated both counties at Alderley Edge CC.

But with fellow title-chasers Berkshire and Cornwall both beaten, and Shropshire also held to a draw, Cheshire are now 18 points clear at the summit at the halfway stage of the season.

With no play on the second day because of heavy rain, a positive result was always unlikely. Cheshire resumed on 187 for six from 44 overs on the third and final day's play.

Maximum points were the priority - and they got them thanks to stand-in skipper Nathan Dumelow and wicketkeeper Matthew Dawson.

Dumelow, unbeaten on 80 from the first day, added a further 70 before he finally departed. The former Derbyshire all-rounder's 155-ball innings included four sixes and 22 fours.

He and Dawson shared a spirited sixth-wicket partnership of 138, but Dumelow fell with Cheshire needing a further 39 runs to claim full batting points.

All-rounder Nathan Dumelow converted his overnight 80 not out into a fine 150

Dawson hit his second half-century in as many matches - he finished 56 not out - and Daniel Berry made an unbeaten 15 to make sure of the points courtesy of an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 45.

The hosts declared on 331 for seven, having adding a further 144 in just 27 overs.

Oxfordshire batted for two overs to reach three without loss before rain brought proceedings to a premature close.

"We were in real trouble on the first day when we lost quick wickets, but once again we've shown out strength in depth. We bat all the way down the order," said Cheshire team manager Sandy Scrimgeour.

"We're in a very strong position at the halfway stage in the season, but we can't afford to get carried away. We've still got three more games to play - we can't get too overconfident.

"We've got to keep plugging away and take each match as it comes. We don't know whether the weather will affect us in our other matches, so hopefully we can get a win in our next match and push on from there.”

Cheshire meet Devon in their next championship match, at Exmouth CC on July 20-22.

Meanwhile, Cheshire A host the Northumberland Development XI in their next match at Mobberley CC on July 16-17.

Scorecard

Cheshire: 331-7 dec (Dumelow 150, Duffy 61, Dawson 56 not out).
Oxfordshire: 3-0.
Result: Cheshire (8pts) drew with Oxfordshire (7pts).