One each with Northumberland but Cheshire lose out

Game 1: Cheshire 142-7 (20 overs), Northumberland 143-6 (19.1 overs). Northumberland won by 4 wickets Scorecard Video highlights

Game 2: Cheshire 193-8 (20 overs), Northumberland 180-8 (20 overs). Cheshire won by 13 runs Scorecard Video highlights

Turning things around to qualify for the Super 12s stage of the T20 competition was always going to be a challenge for Cheshire after a washout with Staffordshire and then two defeats to Cumbria.

And the early news from Carlisle that both Cumbria/Staffordshire games had been abandoned left a huge task of two wins and a dramatic net run rate swing to turn things round. 

It wasn't to be but after a defeat in the first game, Sam Perry's side picked themselves up to win an exciting second encounter.

Game 1

There was a debut to Kevin Carroll who had missed out in the abandoned games a week earlier. Hyde's Charlie Barnard also came in. Josh Boyden was away on Lancashire duty and Henry Dobson dropped down to 12th man.

Winning the toss and batting first, Perry top scored with a fine 65 in Cheshire's 142-7 total which felt maybe 20 or so runs shorts. The focus on boundaries demanded big hits for clearance and with a wet ball maybe holding up, Cheshire were falling short, missing out on the big open spaces offering 2s and 3s. Northumberland's returning Jacques Du Toit claimed 2-22 with the remaining wickets spread around.

Du Toit enjoyed his bat too, making 51 as the visitor's completed a four wicket victory in the final over.

Game 2

Success at last for Cheshire in a entertainng game as Perry's man finally found their feet.

Dobson replaced Pat Ashling with Perry moving behind the stumps and again shining with the bat to make 44. 33 for Will Evans too and a fine 41 from Alex Money. Calum Fletcher took 3-44 and a total of 193-8 felt more challenging.

A confident Cheshire struggled in the field to get early wickets with Alasdair Appleby making 56 and John Oswell 34.Eventually though the chase was pegged back and an astonishing boundary catch from Money to dismiss Stuart Poynter pulled things round.

Still a close finish loomed however before Cheshire struck to win by 13 runs - Harry Dearden taking 2-23, Luke Young 2-31 and Xander Selby 2-30.