Defeat at Didsbury - Cheshire miss out in KO Trophy shootout

Suffolk 304 (49 overs), Cheshire 238 (43.3 overs). Suffolk won by 66 runs

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Defeat for Cheshire in their last group game in the KO Trophy saw Suffolk leapfrog them to book a quarter final date with Oxfordshire.

Chasing 305 to win on a flat deck at Didsbury, Rob Sehmi's much changed side fell 66 runs short, closing on 238.

With a number of players unavailable, Cheshire brought in Tim Hughes from Didsbury (who debuted last year) and a first outing for Bowdon's Rob Lord, spearheading the attack. 

A crafted 123 from Ben Claydon set up the visitors impressive total with half centuries too for Andy Northcote and Ben Parker.

Yet at 272-4, Suffolk were looking at a total of 350 plus before late a salvo from the Cheshire bowlers pulled them back, Luke Young taking 4-18 and Nick Anderson 3-64.

With a fast outfield and good track, the mood was upbeat at the break and certainly Rob Sehmi and Sam Perry moved quickly as the reply started.

Once Perry perished at 32-1, Hughes and Sehmi combined well to add 64 for the second wicket. When Hughes departed for 21, Alex Money took up the mantle and had settled in well when the key moment of the innings saw a freak dismissal for Sehmi at 131-2.

Taking on the attack, he'd reached 73 when Money's drive was deflected onto his stumps at the non-striker's end from Matt Allen's boot.

David Wainwright fell immediately afterwards and the writing was on the wall for Cheshire.

Money fell for 23, Luke Young hit 31 and Steve Green 24 but all in vain as Suffolk took control. Pick of the Suffolk bowlers was Josh Cantrell with 3-51.

"Very disappointing," commented Cricket Director, Pete Babbage. "We were disappointed by the number of unavailable players for such a big game but that gave opportunities for others. We just have to accept things and get on with it.

"We won well at Shropshire and at home to Norfolk and we know we have some great existing and growing talent across the County so we'll hold our heads high. I can't help thinking though how our strongest side would have fared across the four group games. That said, I guess all sides have these issues."

A decent one day showing has seen Cheshire reach the T20 semi finals before imploding against Oxfordshire and  just missing out on qualification for the KO Trophy knock out stages.

That leaaves the three day Championship - which starts next week. It's Cheshire v Oxfordshire at Alderley Edge on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 3,4,5 July.