CHESHIRE scraped a victory in dramatic fashion at Wales in the Unicorns Knockout Trophy yesterday, Sunday, scoring a decisive run from the game’s penultimate ball.

After wins in each of their group-stage games to date, they hope to keep alive their hopes of making the next stage by beating Herefordshire at Alderley Edge next weekend.

A head-to-head with leaders Staffordshire, which could be a winner-takes-all clash, follows seven days later.

Wales were restricted to a modest 200-9 from their 50 overs at Newport, with York’s Danny Woods taking 2-25 and new recruit Wayne White – a professional all-rounder – contributing 2-45 for the visitors.

Cheshire started well in reply with Will Evans (Neston) scoring 63 and Alderley Edge’s Calum Rowe 23.

Wickets then tumbled, chiefly to Steve Pearce who finished with 5-35.

Ultimately it was left to White (60no) and Woods, the last-wicket pair, to see their side home by scoring the required nine runs from the final over.

"It was tough going at times on a worn wicket," said skipper Lee Dixon afterwards.

“But we fought well.

“We should probably have restricted them to around 150 or 160, but we weren't at our sharpest in the field and our bowlers deserved better from us.”

Oulton Park’s Daniel Leech was 12th man.