Cheshire v Devon Day 3 - Devon grab victory after Money ton and Skeemer 6-41

Durant Western Division Championship (Division 1); Devon 423-9 (90 overs) & 0-0, Cheshire 73-3 (13 overs) & 316 (88.5 overs). Devon won by 34 runs. Devon 21 points, Cheshire 4 points

Photo: Alex Money on his way to 102 (Conrad Sutcliffe)

Conrad Sutcliffe gallery

Scorecard & video highlights

Day 3 Live Stream

Division 1 Table

The Western Division Championship table was turned upside down on a dramatic third day of Cheshire's match with Devon at Chester Boughton Hall as Devon struck gold with 12 overs remaining to beat Cheshire by 34 runs.

And with Berkshire turning things round at Eastnor to see off Herefordshire, Cheshire now sit in forth place just one point ahead of the relegation position with a game to play.

Few expected as dramatic a conclusion to this game after the second day had been washed out, leaving Cheshire 404 behind Devon's first innings total with seven wickets remaining.

But a positive approach from captains David Wainwright and Jamie Stephens - both seeking a crucial win - set up the fourth innings drama after some 'friendly bowling' had seen Cheshire  declare on 73-3 from 13 overs with just fours overs added.

Devon then forfeited their second innings leaving Cheshire needing 350 from a minimum 85 overs plus 17 in the last hour.

They added 56 before Sam Perry was welll caught at slip for 22 and Ali Chughtai fell shortly after for 36.

With 108-5 on the board at lunchtime, Cheshire needed something special and it duly arrived in the shape of Alex Money. He and Wainwright added 132 for the seventh wicket in a tense afternoon session. Money was on the attack with his skipper the perfect foil. He brought his century up with a pull over midwicket but the game turned the very next ball as he misjudged the next delivery, dismissed lbw by Matt Skeemer who starred with 6-41.

A dejected Cheshire and elated Devon regrouped at tea, but there was more drama to come.

246-7 became 268-9 and it seemed just a matter of time before Devon collected their win. Sam Grant and Wainwright edged ever nearer the target seeking that unlikely victory.

In the end it wasn't to be as Grant edged one to slip for a fine 25, Wainwright carrying his bat for a stoic 67 from 149 balls.

An excellent win for Devon and what could so easily have been a turgid day's play ended with an exciting finale with quality cricket on show throughout.

Cheshire were left to reflet on how long a week can be in cricket. After a washout in their first game, they were poised to leap to second place with a win over Berkshire but were thwarted by rain. Seven days later it's defeat and a scrap for survival.

They now sit one point ahead of Herefordshire before the final round of games next week. Cheshire face Oxfordshire at Banbury with the home side needing just eight points to pip Berkshire to the title. Devon host Herefordshire at Sidmouth.

Points: Cheshire 4, Devon 21