Jackson's record spell fires Cheshire into KO Trophy Final

(Photo: Hyde's Andy Jackson at Keswick CC)

KO Trophy Group Semi-Final, Keswick CC

Cheshire 177 (45.3 overs), Cumbria 150 (43 overs). Cheshire won by 27 runs 

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Jackson's Record Spell Fires Cheshire Into KO Trophy Final

Andy Jackson produced a bowling performance for the ages as Cheshire swept into the NCCA KO Trophy Final with a superb 27-run victory over Cumbria at Keswick.

The Hyde seamer delivered one of the finest spells in Cheshire history, returning extraordinary figures of 10-8-3-5 to dismantle the visitors and book a showdown with Berkshire at Copdock & Old Ipswichian Cricket Club on Sunday 19 July.

It was sweet revenge for Cheshire, who had been beaten by Cumbria on the same ground just a month earlier, and keeps alive hopes of lifting the KO Trophy for a fifth time after previous triumphs in 1983, 1987, 1996 and 2018. They will also be eager to erase the disappointment of their defeat to Norfolk in the 2024 final at Wormsley.

On a slow, rain-affected surface that offered plenty for the bowlers, runs proved extremely difficult to come by after overnight rain reduced the contest to 46 overs per side.

Captain Sam Perry once again led from the front. Opening alongside Dan Newton, he made a fluent start before the pitch began to dictate terms. With wickets falling around him and Cheshire wobbling at 85-5, Perry produced an innings of maturity and patience, compiling a priceless 65 that anchored the visitors to a competitive 177.

His dismissal as the seventh wicket fell on 138 threatened to expose the tail, but Will Valentine added a valuable 22 to help Cheshire squeeze every possible run from a demanding surface.

Cumbria's experienced attack rarely allowed the scoring rate to climb. Michael Slack claimed 4-22, Freddie Fallows took 3-39, while Nico Watt and Calum Rowe maintained relentless pressure throughout.

If Perry laid the platform, Jackson then stole the show.

His impact was immediate, removing the dangerous Freddie Fallows with just the second ball of the innings, caught smartly in the covers.

Then came the decisive burst.

Jackson struck twice in successive deliveries during his fifth over, dismissing Callum Rowe and Ben Walkden to leave Cumbria reeling at 22-3. When he followed up by removing both Michael Slack and Tom Fraine, the hosts had collapsed to 25-5, leaving Cheshire firmly in command.

Cumbria refused to surrender.

Matt Sempill counter-attacked with 41, Max Winskill added 33, and Ed Wade's determined 23 threatened to swing the contest back the hosts' way.

However, Cheshire's supporting attack ensured there would be no dramatic comeback. Will Street produced an excellent 2-28 and Henry Dobson claimed 2-24  as Cumbria were dismissed 27 runs short.

Captain Perry praised both the performance and the composure shown by his side.

"It was an outstanding performance on a tricky, slow track," he said. "Jacko's bowling was unbelievable.

"It was tough going against Slack and Walkden. You really had to dig in to score runs, but the lads stuck at it brilliantly. 

"We lost the final a couple of years ago and we know how strong Berkshire will be, but we'll go into the final full of confidence."

Cheshire: Sam Perry (capt, Alderley Edge), Dan Newton (Lindow), Henry Murray (Toft), Freddie Vaughan-Hawkins (wk, Timperley), Henry Dobson (Woodbank), Will Street (Didsbury), Isaac Brooks (Lindow), Andy Jackson (Hyde), Gennaro Reddy (Alderley Edge), Will Valentine (Alderley Edge), 12th man: Liam Clorley (Toft).