Plenty of positives from Dorset stalemate

NCCA Cluberly Championship  Western Division 2 

Cheshire 407-9 (90) & 301-7 dec (82), Dorset 365 (90) & 91-6 (45. Match drawn

Dorset 12 points, Cheshire 12 points

Scorecard & highlights    Day 1 highlights     Day 2 highlights.   Day 3 highlights    Table

(Championship debuts for Kesh Fonseka (Lindow), Liam Clorely (Toft), Jack Collett (Sandbach), Archie Barraclough (Bradford & Bingley)

A hard-earned draw and 12 valuable Championship points marked an encouraging start to Cheshire's NCCA Championship campaign as David Wainwright's youthful side stood toe-to-toe with current Western Division Two leaders Dorset at a sun-drenched Wimborne.

Across three glorious days of cricket on a parched but picturesque ground, the two teams amassed 1,164 runs, but despite Cheshire pressing for victory late on, honours were ultimately shared.

For Cheshire, however, there was plenty to celebrate.

With four players making their Championship debuts, this was always going to be a stern examination of patience, concentration and endurance in the longer format. All emerged with considerable credit as Cheshire produced a mature performance that augurs well for the future.

After winning the toss, Cheshire produced one of their most accomplished Championship batting displays in recent seasons, compiling an excellent 407-9 from their allotted 90 overs on the opening day.

At the heart of it all was Sam Perry, whose magnificent 162 was a masterclass in Championship batting. It was his third Championship century and, at the time of writing, the second-highest Championship score recorded in the NCCA this season. The innings also moved him into 19th place on Cheshire's all-time Championship highest scores list, built on patience, discipline and an impressive ability to accelerate through the gears as the innings developed.

Cheshire had reached 114-1 shortly before lunch before momentum briefly swung Dorset's way. Kesh Fonseka had looked assured during an impressive 45 before he miscued to mid-on, while Henry Dobson followed soon afterwards for an accomplished 52. Luke McCoy's run out then threatened to stall the innings completely.

Instead, Perry calmly rebuilt.

Supported by Andrew Dufty (29) and Dan Wilson (31), he gradually wrestled back control before debutant Liam Clorely contributed a useful 19 and later impressed behind the stumps throughout the match. Fellow Championship debutant Jack Collett added a valuable 18 as Mohammad Abbas finished with 4-89 for the hosts.

Fielding for long spells in searing temperatures was every bit as demanding as batting, but Cheshire's attack responded magnificently.

Despite an outstanding 172 from Finn Gordon, which largely cancelled out Perry's heroics, Cheshire remained disciplined throughout Dorset's first innings. Luke Webb added 50, but Cheshire's spinners dictated much of the play, Andrew Dufty returning 3-95, Dan Wilson 2-56, and skipper David Wainwright 2-50 as the visitors secured an invaluable 42-run first-innings lead.

That advantage proved crucial.

Henry Murray set the tone positively in the second innings with a fluent 42, before Perry (41) and McCoy (46) frustrated Dorset's attack with an important partnership at 83-3. Resuming on the third morning, the pair guided Cheshire to 163 during a pivotal session that laid the platform for an enterprising declaration.

Captain Wainwright then produced another impressive contribution with 67, while Clorely continued an excellent Championship debut by adding 35 as Cheshire accelerated after lunch before declaring, setting Dorset an ambitious 286 to win from a maximum of 50 overs.

The visitors struck immediately.

Finn Gordon, Dorset's first-innings centurion, was dismissed by the very first ball of the chase and, with wickets falling regularly, Cheshire sensed victory as Dorset slipped to 87-6 entering the final hour.

But Abbas showed tremendous resilience with 17 from 71 deliveries, while Ed Bartlett produced one of the grittiest innings of the match, facing 49 balls for an unbeaten duck. Together they blunted Cheshire's attack and ensured Dorset survived to safety before Wainwright finally called time on an absorbing contest.

While victory narrowly eluded Cheshire, this represented an outstanding effort from a young side learning the demands of Championship cricket. The composure shown by the debutants, the quality of Perry's century, and the determination displayed throughout three demanding days will give Cheshire enormous encouragement as the campaign gathers momentum.

The Championship season continues this weekend when Cheshire finally return home to Nantwich CC, where they host Shropshire from 2-4 August.

Cheshire CCC: David Wainwright (capt, Castlefield), Sam Perry (Alderley Edge), Henry Murray (Alderley Edge), Kesh Fonseka (Lindow), Henry Dobson (Oxton), Luke McCoy (Widnes), Liam Clorely (wk, Toft), Andrew Dufty (Oulton Park), Dan Wilson (Northern), Jack Collett (Sandbach), Archie Barraclough (Bradford & Bingley). 12th man: James Dodds (Sale).