OULTON Park CC all rounder Nathan Dumelow played a starring role as Cheshire CCC shared the spoils in the final of the Minor Counties Championship.

Man of the match Dumelow hit 80 from 120 balls and grabbed three wickets in the tense match against Suffolk in Ipswich.

Andy Hall's team trailed by 42 runs overnight, but soon found their feet with a solid batting display which assured there was no danger they would lose the final.

Having mustered 148 in their first innings, Cheshire did decidedly better in their second innings.

Hall's men batted for nearly three sessions to post 279 all out - a lead of 226.

In order to win, Suffolk had to score at more than 14 runs per over, with only 16.2 overs at their disposal.

Victory was never on the cards despite having some dangerous batsmen and both captains did the gentlemanly act - they shook hands and shared the title before Suffolk started their second innings.

Hall, who led his team in six unbeaten matches to reach the final, led the way with an impressive knock of 61 from 108 balls, an innings which included 8 fours and lasted 108 minutes.

But it was Dumelow who shone the brightest.

The former Derbyshire all-rounder was dropped, having scored nine, a miss which proved costly as Cheshire would have been left struggling at 101-6.

The powerful right-hander went on to hit 13 fours and his innings, which lasted more than two hours, was probably one of the most important he has played for his county in his debut season.

Former Nottinghamshire all-rounder Dave Pennett chipped in with a useful 26 and Oulton batsman Danny Leech battled for three hours seven minutes to score 27, an innings which took an astonishing 147 balls.

Hall said: "It was always going to be difficult to win the match with the first day being washed out because of rain.

"But it's a great achievement sharing the title this season. We're undefeated and although it would have been much more special to win the title outright, we've battled for everything this season.

"I'm so proud of all the players. We've got the nucleus of a team which can be very successful for the next few years."

A view echoed by chairman Gerry Hardstaff. He said: "We've rebuilt this team and so it's very satisfying to see us do so well after all the hard work from everyone associated with Cheshire cricket, especially the players, who have performed magnificently.

"We were never really in a position to declare and to give ourselves a chance of bowling Suffolk out, so we had to make sure we didn't lose."

He added: "Andy and Nathan batted very well just when we needed them. It's been that way all season and I'm delighted for them both and the rest of the players.

"Andy has been building a better side and Nathan is one of those new players. He deserves his man of the match award. He's played well in this match, but all season as well."