Wormsley woe - Cheshire lose out in KO Trophy Final

NCCA KO Trophy Final, Wormsley 25 August 2024

Cheshire 257-8 (50 overs), Norfolk 258-4 (44.3 overs). Norfolk won by 6 wickets

Match stream Scorecard

Cheshire slumped to a six wicket defeat in the NCCA KO Trophy Final at Wormsley as Norfolk recovered from 99-4 to add 159 for the fifth wicket.

Chief destroyers were opener Ben Wilcox with an unbeaten 135, and wicket-keeper Charlie Hood carrying his bat for 73.

Cheshire had steadily compiled what felt a useful 257-8 from their 50 overs and with prolific scorer Sam Arthurton dismissed for 1 and former Leicstershire and Welsh Fire batterJosh Cobb fourth out without scoring, Cheshire seemed to be in control at 99-4.

However, Willcox and Hood masterminded a famous victory to compile the highest run chase winnning total seen in Wormsley KO Trophy finals.

Wormsley looked a picture as Cheshire lost the toss and were delighted to be invited to bat. Rob Sehmi (34) and Sam Perry (47) then set off at pace adding 63 for the first wicket.  

Gradually though, the Norfolk bowlers turned the screws on a pitch making the batsmen work hard for their runs.

Luke Young shook off a recent illness to add a solid 36 in mid innings and Harry Dearrden  struck 40. Kevin Carroll threstened to up the ante with a quick-fire 18 but nobody was able to really capitalize - much to do with Cobb's 3-37 and Norfolk's excellent ground fielding.

However, after a mid innings struggle, Andy Jackson's 24 and  Chris Sanders 29* took Cheshire to a more than respectable 257-8. 

Most interval observers felt Cheshire were in the box seat, the view enhanced as Sehmi took a spectacular legside catch to dismiss dangerman Arthurton in the second over of the Norfolk reply. 

Perry ran out Ethan Metcalf (37) to make it 67-2 and with Luke Young removing Cobb and Jordan Everett, Cheshire seemed favourites. 

But Wilcox and Hood had other ideas. One of the best features of the innings was consistent ones adn twos as they exploited the wide open spaces of Wormsley rather than always looking for the big shot.

In truth, the innings felt a masterclass in planning as Cheshire were outdone by a 150 plus partnership for the second time in a week.

Dearden rotated his bowlers but the die was cast. Wilcox struck 15 fours and a six, Hood, nine 4s as Cheshire looked battle weary.

A well deserved win for Norfolk in the 44th over and disappointment for Cheshire again.

Nevertheless, there were memorable games en route to the final and Dearden's side will take much away to mull on and learn from over the winter.

Congratulations to Norfolk on what was still an enjoyable occasion.