Cheshire line up quarter final with Berkshire

Cheshire 364-8 (50 overs) beat Dorset 274 (45 overs) by 90 runs

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Highlights: Dan Newton 116, Harry Dearden 67, Alex Money 63, Mike Finan 6-46 (Cheshire), Alex Eckland 129, Jacob Gordan 64, Matt Burton 3-61

Mike Finan took 6-46 - including four wicketes in the final over - and Dan Newton hit 116 as Cheshire beat Group 4 leaders Dorset by 90 runs in their final KO Trophy group qualifying game at Didsbury.

Things didn't start well for Cheshire as in-form Sam Perry won the toss and batting first, fell with the score on six.

Alex Money and Newton then steadied things, adding 97 before Money was stumped for 63.

Harry Dearden enjoyed himself with 67, Kevin Carroll made 34 and Henry Dobson added 29 to set an imposing total of 364-8. Matt Burton took 3-61 for the visitors.

Although behind the rate throughout, Dorset kept the board ticking over with Jacob Gordon making 64. With Alex Eckland in control with ten overs remaining and looking unmoveable, Dorset had a glimmer of hope. But when Finan bowled him for 129 (14 fours, 6 sixes), the. wriiting was on the wall and Finan demolished the tale to see Cheshire triumph by 90 runs. 

Although a commanding win, Cheshire had too much to do to overhaul Dorset at the top of the table. Three wins in a row was commendable but their Hertfordshire humbling came back to haunt and denies a home quarter-final.

The trip to Berkshire will re-kindle memories of last year's superb semi-final win at Alderley Edge.

The game will be played on Sunday 1 June at the excellent Falklands CC, Newbury.