HALL TARGETS TWO WINS AFTER ALDERLEY EDGE WASHOUT by Neil Goulding

CHESHIRE skipper Andy Hall and his team were left "frustrated" after heavy rain washed out their recent Minor Counties Championship clash with Dorset at Alderley Edge Cricket Club (left - in sunshine!).

Despite the best efforts of head groundsman Paul Heades, three days of rain meant that the Moss Lane ground saw no cricket between 26-28 July.

Without a ball having been bowled by teatime on the second day, the match then became a one-innings contest.

But even thought both captains tossed up on the final day with Cheshire set to bat first, the rain continued and no play was possible.

However, the good news for Cheshire was that Western Division leaders Cornwall were surprisingly beaten by 116 runs against Oxfordshire.

Cheshire and Dorset claimed six points each for their drawn game - and Cornwall picked up the same points tally in defeat.

And so Corwnall top the division with 62 points, but both Dorset (59pts) and Cheshire (54pts) are still hot on their heels and in with a good chance of still winning the title.

"It's frustrating that rain has intervened in three of our four games so far, but we're still in with a good shout of winning the division if we can win our last two matches," said Hall.

Cheshire face Wales Minor Counties (9-11 August) followed by another away clash, this time against Shropshire (23-25 August) with the title still up for grabs.

"If Cornwall or Dorset win their last two games to win the division, then fair enough," added Hall. "But in my own mind I'm pretty confident we'll win the division if we win our last two games.

"There's doubting we've got two tough games, but if we perform then we'll be confident about our own chances."

Cheshire are expected to name an unchanged side for the three-day match, although Lancashire Academy ace Chris Tipper may not yet be available if he is selected for the Red Rose county.

"Chris is a quality player, he's come in and done really well this year. To score a double hundred at such a young age proves just how much of an exciting talent he is.

"But there have been a few players who have come in and done well this year. I've always said that if those lads do well then they deserve a chance to stay in the team."

Cheshire team: Chris Tipper (Hyde), Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall), Andy Hall (Bramhall, captain), Ben Spendlove (Oulton Park), James Duffy (Hyde), Nathan Dumelow (Oulton Park), Jason Whittaker (Alderley Edge), Matthew Dawson (Bramhall, wicketkeeper), Daniel Berry (Hyde), Adam Syddall (Bowdon), Rick Moore (Oulton Park).

CHESHIRE UNCHANGED FOR VISIT OF DORSET AT ALDERLEY EDGE

By Neil Goulding (Cheshire Press Officer, 07813 859986) - Pictured: Hyde all-rounder Dan Berry is having a good season for Cheshire

CHESHIRE coach Sandy Scrimgeour has got one wish when his troops go head to head with fellow Minor Counties Championship high-flyers Dorset at Alderley Edge this weekend (26-28 August).

“I just want three days of cricket,” he said. “It is very frustrating when you get yourself into a winning position and the weather intervenes.

“If we get beat fair and square in three days, then so be it. But at least we would have been able to play the full three days.”

Cheshire go into the fixture on Sunday currently lying in third place in the Western Division, five points behind their visitors in second:

“It should be a good game,” continued Scrimgeour.

The Scotsman has named the same side that drew with Herefordshire at Nantwich earlier this month, a match that had its third day wiped out by rain with the hosts in a promising position.

Lancashire second XI batsman Chris Tipper will feature again after his record 219 off 221 balls: “He’s done very, very well for us,” continued the coach. “He’s definitely one for the future.”

Dorset and table-toppers Cornwall have won two of their three matches so far this season, while Cheshire go into the fixture looking for their second. They are eight points behind the Cornishmen.

Cheshire team: Chris Tipper (Hyde), Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall), Andy Hall (Bramhall, captain), Ben Spendlove (Oulton Park), James Duffy (Hyde), Nathan Dumelow (Oulton Park), Jason Whittaker (Alderley Edge), Matthew Dawson (Bramhall, wicketkeeper), Daniel Berry (Hyde), Adam Syddall (Bowdon), Rick Moore (Oulton Park).