CHESHIRE FRUSTRATED BY RAIN AGAINST YORKSHIRE ACADEMY
By Neil Goulding

CHESHIRE's A team were forced to settle for a draw against the Yorkshire Academy after heavy rain ended their hopes of victory on the second and final day's play at Middlewich Cricket Club.
Resuming on 252 for no wicket, Cheshire held a 30 runs first innings lead having dismissed their hosts for 222 on Tuesday.
Hyde off-spinner Danny Berry the pick of Cheshire's bowlers with 5-79, while clubmate Tom Young claimed two wickets.
But play started an hour late because of the wet weather and halted Cheshire's charge for quick runs.
The hosts did reach 399-5 - a lead of 177 - but then the heavens opened again shortly after 2pm and no further play was possible.
Opener James McCoy failed to add to his overnight unbeaten 187 from 121 balls, while fellow opener Johnny Kettle was finally dismissed for a gutsy 64.
Skipper Nick Cantello (32), Lee Dixon (25) and an unbeaten 25 from Rick Moore all helped Cheshire close in on the 400 mark, but the rain eventually had the final say.

Scorecard (Last day of 2 @ Middlewich CC):
Yorkshire Academy 1st innings: 222 all out (D Berry 5-79)
Cheshire A 1st innings: 399-5 (252-0 overnight) (J McCoy 187, J Kettle 64, N Cantello 32, L Dixon 25, R Moore 25 not out)

Result: Match abandoned due to rain.

CENTURION MCCOY ON SONG FOR CHESHIRE's SECOND STRING
By Neil Goulding

JAMES McCOY was on fire with the willow as Cheshire A sparkled against the Yorkshire Academy in their opening fixture of the season yesterday.
The on-song opener crashed a career best 187 not out in just 121 balls as Cheshire took control on the first day of their two-day match at Middlewich Cricket Club.
McCoy, who plays for Widnes in the Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League, hit a staggering 33 fours and five sixes in his awesome battling display as the hosts made light work of chasing down their opponent's first innings total of 222.
Hyde off-spinner Daniel Berry was the pick of the Cheshire bowlers with a fine 5-79 return, while clubmate Tom Young claimed two wickets in a long bowling spell.
But the best was yet to come after Cheshire, captained by Bramhall's Nick Cantello, had bowled the visitors out for 222.
McCoy and Oulton Park teenager Johnny Kettle opened the batting - and after 44 overs had overhauled Yorkshire's first innings total by the close of play.
Kettle played an important anchor role with a patient unbeaten 52, while McCoy smashed the ball all over the park in his quickfire knock to put Cheshire in control.
Cheshire will be looking to score some quick runs today before trying to bowl Yorkshire out cheaply in the second innings.

Scorecard (Day 1 of 2 @ Middlewich CC):
Yorkshire Academy 1st innings: 222 all out (D Berry 5-79)
Cheshire A 1st innings: 252-0 (J McCoy 187no, J Kettle 52no)