There were mixed fortunes for the two Cheshire County League sides in the semi-finals of the Royal & Sun Alliance North West Colts Trophy. The 'A' side entertained the Ribblesdale League at Alvanley only to be beaten quite comfortably by a very much stronger side. The Ribblesdale League batted first scoring 201 all out off the final ball of the last over of their fifty, with M.Stevens scoring 57 and D.Wells taking 4 for 25. The Cheshire County reply got off to a bad start with the controversial dismissal of opener Adam Carolan which seemed to affect the home side's confidence and they could only muster 132 all out.

Tense Affair The other semi-final between the main Cheshire County League side and the Northern League at Sale turned into a tense and exciting affair. Cheshire County, making first use of a good batting track, posted a formidable 232 for 7, Mark Agar top scoring with 81. The Northern League's reply got off to a disastrous start losing two wickets with only six runs on the board, but the middle order proved to be made of sterner stuff. L.Phillips 58, J. Davies 24 and M.Maddigan 35 clawed their team back into the match. Both sets of supporters were on the edge of their seats as the last over started with 10 runs required to win and the last pair at the wicket. It proved too much to ask and the Northern League were dismissed with four balls remaining to give the Cheshire County League victory by 7 runs.

© 1999