Dorset draw sees Cheshire finish third

Cheshire 385-8 & 183-4, Dorset 357-9 dec. Match drawn

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Match highlights

Western Division 1 Table

A week in cricket is a long time!

Just over a week ago Cheshire were struggling at the foot of Western Division 1 but a stunning win at Berkshire followed by this result at Dorset saw them ultimately finish third behind champions Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

With Dorset having to win this match to ensure Division 1 survival, decent weather was vital but in the end a much-curtailed day (and match) took too much time from the game to force a result.

Dorset opted for an early declaration once play got unerway on day three - closing  27 runs behind Cheshire. Credit to Luke Webb's young side who took the bull by the horns at every opportunity with the innings seeing hundreds for Sam Young (152) and David Scott (131).

Cheshire saw Ali Chughtai and Sam Perry go early but with Rob Sehmi continuing his fine form with 60 and Henry Dobson making 87, th egame meandered to a close with Cheshire 210 ahead.

Dorset are relegated to be replaced by Devon in 2023.

For Cheshire, it was a great second half of the Championship season. "Overall we played well against Oxfordshire in our first game and were then below par at herefordshire with a number of enforced changes," said team manager Pete Babbage. "But the Berkshire game turned things round and we went into this gameknowing that nine points would keep us whatever happened. In the end we were well clear."

"Some great performances throughout the season with Rob Sehmi leading by example with the bat. Great to see Nick Anderson receive his County Cap befor ethis game too - much deserved."

A review of th eseason will follow...