Win over Wiltshire puts Cheshire in the mix

Wiltshire 273-9 (50 overs), Cheshire 276-8 (44.4 overs). Cheshire won by 2 wickets 

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Cheshire got their 2025 KO Trophy campaign up and running at the second attempt as they defeated Wiltshire by two wickets in an entertaining game at picturesque, breezy Marlborough College.

It was a far superior performance to last week's debacle in Hitchin and means that Cheshire, Wales NC, Dorset and Hertfordshire now all have one win under their belts with two games being played on Bank Holiday Monday. 

Alex Money hit 81 and skipper Sam Perry 61 as Cheshire set about chasing down 273 from their 50 overs, before Harry Dearden (51) steadied a late wobble to steer the visitors home.

Earlier, having won the toss, Wiltshire got away to a flier with Jack Mynott (73) and Warwickshire Bears' Jacob Lynott (53)adding 133 for the first wicket. Cheshire, with fiery left-armer Mike Finan (3-45) back in the side, struggled to get the initial breakthrough.

Eventually, Steve Green (2-52) applied the brakes, removing both as the visitors disciplined attack applied pressure before Ed Young plundered 39 and a spectacular 22 from the final over saw Wiltshire close on 273-9. 

A changed Cheshire top order started badly with a feeling of deja vu as the returning Henry Dobson went with just a single on the board. However, Perry and Money then set about the hard graft to move Cheshire to a commanding position, adding 143 for the second wicket. Both batters looked on top of their game but Lynott's canny left arm legspin was proving tough. 

Perry was trapped lbw and when George Lavelle, Money and Max Law all went in the space of six runs, Cheshire were struggling. Money's innings had been outstanding before  a loose flat bat saw him caught on the boundary.

Kevin Carroll hit a breezy 19 but Dearden took control with a level head guiding his side home. Or so it appeared until he fell to a skier on 51. 

With Lynott completing his ten overs for 4-47 a nervy finale loomed before a confident 26 from Dan Newton backed up by Finan saw Cheshire grab the win with five overs to spare.

A contrast to last week's opener and Cheshire can move forward to a home game with Wales NC at Toft next Sunday (11 May) knowing there's still all to play for in the group.

Monday's games see Wiltshire host Wales and Dorset taken on Hertfordshire.