Cheshire edged out by Cumbria in KO Trophy quarters

(Photos, l-r: Luke Young, Chris Sanders, Alex Money; Sanders picture courtesy of Roger Byrne)

NCCA KO Trophy quarter final: Cumbria 208-8 (50 overs), Cheshire 194 (47.2 overs). Cumbria won by 14 runs

Scorecard

Ultimately it was heartbreak for Harry Dearden's Cheshire as they went down by 14 runs in an entertaining KO Trophy quarter final with Cumbria at Keswick.

Having qualified as runners-up in Group 3, Cheshire travelled to the home of the Group 1 winners who they'd already beaten twice earlier in the season in the T20 competition.

There was one change to the side from the previous week's game with Shropshire as Chris Sanders returned to the bowling line up, replacing Pat Ashling. Sam Perry took the 'keeper's gloves.

Revenge was sweet for the home side who, having been put into bat, posted 208-8, dodging the showers and facing a strong visiting bowling attack.

Not for the first time, Gary Pratt dug in and eventually carried his bat for a fine 69. The prolific Michael Slack made 31 and Ben Walkden 30.

Sanders impressed on his return, putting in an excellent shift to bag 4-40 while Steve Green took 2-35.

The Cheshire reply stuttered at the outset with the top four mis-firing to leave them on 36-4 before Dearden started the recovery with 27. Slack took 3-33.

However, 65-5 turned into 146-6 as Alex Money and Luke Young took control adding 81 before Money was bowled for a fine 61.  

Young continued on and at 157-8 Cheshire could see the finishing line but it was tough going against Matt Siddall (2-31) and Ed Moulton (3-29).

The potential turning point came when Young went for 43, falling to an outstanding catch from Slack on the long on boundary. 

Steve Green (25) kept the challenge going however and was last to go as Cheshire finished 14 runs short.

"I can't fault the effort from this side," said Head of Cricket, Pete Babbage. There were some great individual performances with the bat and ball, good cameraderie across the squad too and we take a number of positives into our three day championship games in a few week's time."

A good day's cricket in sometimes difficult conditions and we wish Cumbria all the best as they travel to Suffolk for their semi final.