Going into the final round of Group Four fixtures, Dorset stood third in the table with only the top two progressing to the last eight. Cheshire were leading on six points, ahead of Wiltshire and Dorset on four points. Net run rate (NRR) only kept Wiltshire ahead of Luke Webb’s men, who completed all four fixtures.
It meant Dorset had to hope Cheshire defeated Wiltshire by a large margin in order to overturn the 0.53 deficit on NRR and finish as group runners-up. READ MORE : NCCA Trophy qualification out of Dorset's hands despite Wiltshire win Lurking just one point behind Dorset, however, were Hertfordshire.
They knew a win over Wales would see them overtake Dorset. Remarkably, though, both results have fallen Dorset’s way. The first was a comfortable 129-run win for Cheshire, who piled on a stunning 379-7 from their 50 overs.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat at Didsbury, Cheshire made superb progress. Every single batter in the top eight passed 20, with the top order laying an ominous foundation for the middle order to flick through the gears. Cheshire opener Robert Sehmi scored fluently in his 71 from 62 balls, carving out nine fours and a six before Archie Fairfax-Ross (3-80) rustled his timbers.
Alex Money (36) and Henry Dobson (30) weighed in with quick contributions and Luke Young (50) became the second batter to notch a half-century as the runs flowed. Platform set, the omens were good for Cheshire and they went about completely taking the game away from.