T20 campaign ends with double over Northumberland

NCCA T20 - Group 1

Cheshire v Northumberland (Doble Header), Oxton CC

Match 1: Northumberland 129-7 (20 overs), Cheshire 133-3 (16.2 overs). Cheshire won by 7 wickets

Scorecard & highlights   Match stream highlights   Group 1 Table   NCCA Match Centre

Highlights: Kevin Carroll 54, Sam Perry 38*, Max Law 3-18, Rohan Luthra 2-25 (Cheshire) Chris Youldon 50*, Callum Fletcher 2-31 (Northumberland)

Match 2: Northumberland 113-9 (20 overs), Cheshire 117-6 (16.1 overs). Cheshire won by 4 wickets. 

Highlights: George Lavelle 58,  Henry Murray 25* , Harry Dearden 3-27, Max Law 2-23 (Cheshire) John Oswell 33, Joseph Stuart 4-33, Johnny Bushnell 2-27 (Northumberland)

Scorecard & highlights     Match stream highlights.   Group 1 Table.   NCCA Match Centre

In the end Cheshire's double win over Northumberland proved in vain. They were pipped at the post by a point in the final Group 1 rankings. Staffordshire, Cumbria and Northumberland go through to the super 12s with Cheshire missing out by just a point.

Yet this was a huge moral victory after two double defeats and Cheshire can consider themselves a little unfortunate not to qualify after four from eight wins.

Overnight rain delayed the start at Oxton, the first game getting underway at noon in front of a large crowd buoyed by a craft market at the ground as part of Oxton CC's 150th celebrations.

Cheshire gave a debut to Toft's Henry Murray in a young side including Timperley's Freddie Vaughan-Hawkins. Both have prospered in the 2nd XI, following Rohan Luthra into the side. Luke McCoy returned too and Hyde's Andy Jackson.

Sam Perry put Northumberland into bat and with Jackson and Max Law looking sharp from the off, runs were at a premium. 

Ben Youldon top scored for the visitors who rallied to post 129-7, Law taking 3-18 and Luthra 2-25.   

There was a confidence in the Cheshire reply, seeking the spaces in the big Oxton outfield, the bigger shots well measured. Kevin Carroll, promoted to three was in no mood to hang around plundering 54, Perry playing a fine anchor role with an unbeaten 38.

Second time around, Perry again put Northumberland into bat who again found it tough against a revitalised Cheshire. 

John Oswell led with 33 in a total of 113-9 but Cheshire - using six bowlers - restricted the total to 113-9.  Then, although a wobble or two on the way, George Lavelle's 58 and a cool 25 not out from Murray ensured Cheshire got home by four wickets in the 17th over. Joseph Stuart took 4-33, Johnny Bushnell 2-27 . 

Thus Cheshire's Jekyll and Hyde T20 campaign ended, but credit for bouncing back well. It was a young side at Oxton mixed with experience. They can now take a breather and adjust for the challenge of the four-game, three day championship campaign. First up it's a visit to Whitchurch to take on Shropshire on 20-22 July.