CHESHIRE have booked their place in this year's Minor Counties Cricket Association (MCCA) Knockout Trophy semi-finals.

Andy Hall's side dug deep to defeat Cumberland by five wickets at Barrow Cricket Club on today (Sunday) - and now play either Dorset or Wales in the next phase on Sunday 1st July at Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club.

A reserve day of Monday July 2 has been arranged in case no play takes place on the Sunday.

Having won the toss and elected to field, Cheshire had Cumberland reeling at 105-8, until a ninth wicket partnership of 77 saw their opponents post 194 all out in 49.4 overs.

Off spinner Nathan Dumelow (3-30) was the pick of Cheshire's bowlers, while Guy Emmett, Daniel Berry and Adam Syddall all chipped in with two wickets. Seamer Jason Whittaker also claimed an important scalp.

Hall then led from the front, top scoring with 65 as Cheshire triumphed in 36.1 overs. Opener David Fitzsimmons (31), Dumelow (40) and an unbeaten 23 from James Duffy steered the visitors over the winning line.

An important third wicket stand of 68 between Hall and Fitzsimmons, and then 62 between the skipper and Dumelow laid the platform for success as Cheshire claimed two points to win Group A and leave themselves within one victory of playing at Lords in this year's showcase final in August.

"That's a great win for us," said a delighted Hall.

"We bowled really well and, although we let them get too many runs, we batted sensibly and made sure of the victory.

"It's nice to do well in this competition because we haven't really gone that far in the last few years, but if we can win one more match we'll be playing at Lords. That would mean a lot to the players."

Team manager Sandy Scrimgeour added: "We made it harder than it should have been, but the most important thing is we've won.

"The team are pulling together and if they keep performing, then there's no reason why we can't get to Lords."

Cheshire took a 13-man squad with them to Barrow, with opening batsman Danny Leech and seamer Tom Young missing out in the final squad as Hyde duo Fitzsimmons and spinner Berry got the nod instead.

Scorecard:
Cumberland 1st innings: 194 all out, 49.4 overs (C D'Leny 38, M Gorley 33, G Pratt 31, N Dumelow 3-30, G Emmett 2-28, D Berry 2-27, A Syddall 2-65, J Whittaker 1-31).


Cheshire 1st innings: 195-5, 36.1 overs (A Hall 65, N Dumelow 40, D Fitzsimmons 31, J Duffy 23no).

Result: Cheshire won by five wickets (Cheshire 2pts, Cumberland 0pts).

Cheshire: Andy Hall (captain), Matt Dawson (wicket keeper) (Bramhall); Ben Spendlove, Nathan Dumelow, Guy Emmett, (Oulton Park); Ismail Dawood (Urmston); Dave Fitzsimmons, James Duffy, Daniel Berry (Hyde); Jason Whittaker (Walshaw); Adam Syddall (Bowdon).

Reserves: Tony Young (Hyde), Danny Leech (Oulton Park). Scorer: Jim Law (Chester Boughton Hall).