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How the cup was won...

How the cup was won...

CBHCC Web Manager12 Oct 2017 - 20:28
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2017 saw Chester win the Cheshire Cup for the fifth time in six years. Jim Law reviews Chester's run to that Neston final.

It was all change at Chester for 2017 with Will Owen taking charge of the mid week team and Sunday cup side while Ross Dixon looked after League matters.

And it was a dramatic end to the season. Having lost out to Northern in the National and fallen short in a T20 round robin with Neston, Alvanley and Barrow, Cheshire Cup success was all the more important...

Cheshire Cup Round 1 (A) v Wallasey, Sunday 28 May 2017

It all started at the Wallasey Oval.

A young Cheshire side posted 253 with Lee Dixon blasting 96 and Alex Money 63.

Eight bowlers were used in reducing Wallasey to 203 (Tom Ward 53, Chris Davies 45), with Jack Williams taking 3-32 as Chester won by 56 runs.

Cheshire Cup, Round 2 (H) v Grappenhall, Sunday 25 June 2017

A rare cup home draw next up, against Grappenhall a month later.

This was Ross Dixon's opportunity to shine as he took 5-30 after Grappenhall had rallied from 100-8 to post 155 (Albert Pennington 34).

Money was enjoying Sunday cricket and scored 49 as Chester won by five wickets with 13 overs to spare.

Cheshire Cup, Round 3 (A) v Didsbury, Sunday 23 July 2017

On to Didsbury for the second day running having won there in the League 24 hours earlier.

This time it was an eight wicket win as Harry Killoran took 4-22 to restrict the home side to 134.

A couple of early wobbles saw Chester at 7-2 (including the unusual sight of Ross Dixon opening the batting) but Rick Moore (67*) and Money (55) steered Chester home by eight wickets.

Cheshire Cup Semi Final (H) v New Brighton, Sunday 20 August 2017

Semi final time welcomed old friend Mark Rowland's New Brighton side to Filkins Lane.

It was one of those 'Chester' occasions' that the Club do so well with a big crowd gathered in the sunshine for what turned out to be a close game.

Chester batted first on a slow pitch to make 177, Lee Dixon hitting 37, Money and Williams 32 each. A seemingly below-par score but a decent recovery from 115-5 with David White taking 3-33 and Rowland 2-21.

As conditions deteriated, New Brighton faltered. Rowland dug in for 15 but when Owen took a great running boundary catch to dismiss Andy Clarke, Chester had their tales up.

The game changed with 2-15 from Goodwin and Killoran and unfazed youngster Charlie Fleet took further wickets.

When heavy rain finally took the players from the pitch, New Brighton were behind the run rate at 77-6. And that's how it stayed meaning Chester had reached their fifth Cheshire Cup Final in six years.

Neston meantime beat Timperley in the other final and won the toss to host Chester in the final - a fourth visit to Parkgate for Chester this season.

Cheshire Cup Final (A)...and then home v Neston, 3,10 and eventually, Sunday 17 September 2017

First attempt at Parkagate, ground under water. Second attempt there a week later, pitch not under water but called off the day before amidst much confusion.

Third attempt on the final day of the season. Chester again travel to Parkgate but clearly the ground isn't fit. Much deliberating...finally an agreement to hurriedly decamp back to Chester for a hastily rearranged 30 over a side game.

Alex Kegg works wonders at Filkins Lane and Cheshire Youngsters move to the back pitch. Amazingly we have a rapidly gathered, large crowd. Amazingly still, we have sunshine.

Neston win the toss, bat and get off to a flyer. Simon Stokes goes early but Will Evans blasts 63. The middle order falters, Neston fall to 111-5 but then make 154, Goodwin taking 2-16, Fleet 2-19 and Killoran 2-25.

The response is sensational. Vintage Goodwin at the crease smacks 83. Moore finishes on an unbeaten 54 and Chester win the game by nine wickets and take the Cheshire Cup once again.

Skipper Will Owen takes a bow, 24 hours after Ross Dixon's salute as winning League skipper. Warren Goodwin takes the man of the match award and it's a great way for Alex Kegg to sign off his CBH 1st XI career.

Brazil kept the Jules Rimet (World Cup Trophy) after winning it three times. The Cheshire Cup looks very much at home behind our bar...)

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