Day 3: Cheshire relegated after Cornwall draw and Devon force win

Cheshire 396 & 195-4 dec, Cornwall 350 & 149-3. Match drawn. Cheshire 12 points, Cornwall  12 points 

YouTube Day 3 highlights Scorecard & highlights  Western Division Table  Oxfordshire v Devon

In the end it wasn't to be for Cheshire as they slipped out of Western Division 1 after drawing with Cornwall.

Starting the game two points ahead of botttom place Devon, Harry Dearden's side ran out of time to force the victory needed with bad weather eating away part of the day.

Rain in Oxfordshire also held up the Devon charge but with their game moving ahead more quickly, Devon managed to humble their hosts.

Cheshire will look back on a dropped catch, Paul Smith's powerful 133 and a 152 tenth wicket match-changing partnership on day two but in reality, drawing two and losing two of their four games was the ultimate reason.

A poor performance with an under strength side at Thame against Oxfordshire first time out was followed by a spirited showing against champions Berkshire where two key sessions thwarted Cheshire when they looked to be on top.

And last week's charge at Sidmouth fell short as a poor third day session with the bat and ultimately, bad weather, scuppered hopes of ensuring survival with one game to go.

In truth - as Cheshire found last year when a genuine Championship winning opportunity suddenly turned into a relegation scrap on the final day - the four game competition leaves little time for recovery and minimal margin for error.

The third day of this game at Chester was halted after just one over with a damp foot hole causing problems and leading to a delay of just short of two hours.

Cheshire then pushed on to declare at 195-4 with a lead of 241, watching on helplessly as Devon were eating into the Oxfordshire batting at Banbury.

Alex Money (83) and Luke McCoy (75) added 172 for the second wicket and when Cornwall managed 112 before losing Max Tryfonos for 64, there was suddenly an urgency that the visitors could grab a win despite the lack of available overs.

Two smart runs outs to dismiss Alex Blake and Smith then gave Cheshire a slight sniff of victory as they approached the last hour, but with Karl Leathley carrying his bat for 60, the game petered out and the captains shook hands at 6.15pm.

A time for reflection for Cheshire recognising that despite the lack of key player availibility undoubtedly the major contribution to Cheshire's final outcome, there were a number of plusses to take from the campaign.

"Harry Dearden led competently and confidently throughout," remarked Head of Cricket, Pete Babbage, "with Dave Wainwright supporting in his new coaching role admirably."

"Player availibility and clashes with club competitions aided our downfall but the table doesn't lie and ultimately we weren't able to match our white ball achievements," added Chair, Jim Law.

"Fortunately though, we have the little matter of a 50 over cup final this wekend to look forward to and we'll travel to Wormsley in high spirits."

Cheshire will take on Norfolk at Wormsley this Sunday (25th) from 11am in the NCCA KO Final with Monday set as a reserve day i the event of bad weather.