Cricket: Archer fires 100 to buoy Cheshire.

Byline: NEIL GOULDING

FORMER Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire bats man Graeme Archer smashed a brilliant unbeaten hundred as Cheshire took control against Oxfordshire on the opening day of their Minor Counties Championship Western Divison clash.

Archer top-scored for Cheshire with 121 not out as the visitors ran up an imposing 365-5 having won the toss and elected to bat.

And there were runs also for openers Danny Leech (74) and Alexis Twigg (53), who gave Cheshire the perfect start at Banbury in a match they must win to enhance their chances of qualifying for next year's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy.

Captain Andy Hall weighed in with 53 in Cheshire's a lotted 90 overs before his bowl-ers helped restrict the hosts to 66-2 at the close of play.

``We've made an excellent start, '' said Hall. ``The top order batted very well, especially Graeme (Archer). He's been in really good touch since he joined us earlier this season.

``It's a good pitch and I fancied a bat. I'm glad I made the right decision, it was important to get as many batting points as we could.

``But we've got to push on from here and make sure we bowl Oxfordshire out cheaply and keep some type of first innings lead. ''