Minor Counties

Cheshire meet Devon in a rearranged MCCA Trophy semi-final at Chester Boughton Hall on July 29, aiming to strengthen their challenge to follow Staffordshire and Devon by completing a knockout and championship double in the same season.

Consecutive championship victories over Devon, Berkshire and Dorset make Cheshire favourites to win the western division, together with a place in the final against the eastern champions. Andrew Hall, the Cheshire captain, and Danny Leech shared an unbroken stand of 287, a record for any wicket in the county’s history, in the win over Devon.

Tim Riley, 47, the Colwall secretary and second-team player, celebrated a remarkable debut for Herefordshire this week with 120 not out on his home ground in the four-wicket defeat by Devon, the defending champions. He turned up to watch but was drafted in after late withdrawals.

Clubs

Owing to a gap in the county cricket calendar, Radley Rangers were able to include two Huttons, two Dalrymples and Robin Martin-Jenkins for their tie against Old Alleynians in the second round of The Cricketer Cup, sponsored by Rensburg Sheppards. Jamie Dalrymple, the England one-day all-rounder, struck 52 and took four for 28 as Alleynians were bowled out for 119. Martin-Jenkins made an unbeaten 37. Radley won by 57 runs in a match reduced to 40 overs a side.

In Radley’s quarter-final against Bradfield Waifs, Simon Dalrymple scored 108 in an 87-run victory. An innings of 66 by Jamie Rowe and figures of four for 45 by Alistair Owen-Browne enabled Old Tonbridgians to defeat Old Malvernians by 18 runs. Paul Young struck 101 in Old Wellingtonians’ victory over Old Cholmeleians, who had beaten Old Cranleighans on the toss of a coin in the previous round.

Schools

Hands up those who think declaration cricket, with the prospect of draws, less exciting than overs games. With skilful captaincy, the declaration game is far superior. MCC, under Stuart Barnes, of Gloucestershire CCC, declared at 174 for eight. Monkton Combe needed three to win from the last ball with nine down. They scampered two, thus drawing on level scores.

At Hereford Cathedral School, Joe Hiram led a Gloucestershire Gipsies team who declared at 184 for nine. Fine off-spin bowling from John Terry, of Hereford, produced six for 88 in 23 overs. Hereford were cruising at 102 for one, but a collapse left the school needing 26 from the last three overs with nine down. Chris Shaw and Luke Cross held their nerve and snuck two byes from the last ball, thus also drawing with the scores level and nine down.