CUMBERLAND’S crunch Minor Counties game with Suffolk was nicely poised going into the final day.

The hope was that a full day’s play would be possible at Sedbergh although overnight rain threatened to disrupt things.

Cumberland started play today 285 runs ahead with five second innings wickets in hand.

With Lincolnshire poised to beat Beffordshore in the second versus third clash, both Cumberland and their visitors needed the win to stay in contebntion for the title.

Gary Pratt, unbeaten with 45 second time round, willn have to decide as captain when to declare (unless Suffolk bowlers get through the last five very quickly) and set a target that will give both sides a chance of going for.

After Cumberland had closed on 354-9 in their 90 overs Suffolk continued from their overnight 68-3 to reach 240 before they were bowled out in the last over.

Ben France (60) held the innings together against some excellent bowling by Cumberland veteran Marcus Sharp. He sent down 34 overs and finished with 6-78.

Marc Brown of Carlisle ran out Stuart Rees with a direct hit and the other three wickets were shared by debutant Richard Gleeson, Chris Thompson and Chris Marsden.

When Cumberland batted for a second time there was some steady scoring at the top of the order with James Lowe (45) and Brown (35) prominent before Pratt (42no) was left to dominate the closing stages.

With 171-5 on the board, and one eye on the weather, Pratt holds the balance of power.
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