Wickets tumbled on the opening day of Cumberland’s Minor Counties game at Barrow against Staffordshire.

Both teams were bowled-out for less than 130 and at the close Staffordshire had made 4-1 from two overs in their second innings.

They had led by seven runs on first innings after being dismissed for 129 when they had elected to take first use of the Barrow strip. They suffered a disastrous morning session, losing seven wickets for just 92 runs.

On a wicket providing some sideways movement and with conditions assisting the ball to swing, Staffordshire's batsman continued to form a steady procession back to the pavilion.

Number eight batsman Greg Willott top-scored for Staffordshire with a vital 28 not out which enabled the visitors to get past the century mark.

Seventeen-year-old Alex Hughes battled for 63 balls for his 22, but he was eventually trapped down the leg side as wicketkeeper James Cole snapped up his third catch of the innings. There was a brief lull in the fall of wickets in the opening period after lunch as Willott and Russell Ballard added 32 for the eighth wicket before the latter fell to a catch in the gully with the score having moved on to 124.

Dave Edwards and Will Purser didn't last long as the innings came to a close after just 51.1 overs, with Staffs having limped along to 129 all out.

Willott scored an unbeaten 28 from 72 balls and hit two boundaries and the only six of the innings.

Alex Stead (3-21) and Daryl Wearing (3-25) were the most successful Cumberland bowlers while Dan Conway chipped-in with 2-38.

If Cumberland thought they would be in a position to build a good lead they were to be mistaken because they also struggled to make runs.

Only Stead (pictured above), batting at number three, seemed comfortable and he was last out for an outstanding innings of 61 which helped Cumberland reach 122.

Staffs made the perfect start with a wicket from the second ball of the innings as Purser had Carl Hey caught by Goodwin for a first-ball duck.

With the total on 13 two wickets from Dave Edwards put Staffordshire right back into the game.

Edwards was again showing his ability just four runs later as Goodwin gratefully accepted his second chance of the innings as the home side slumped to 17-4 in the 10th over.

At 60-6, Cumberland looked to be succumbing easily, but a determined rearguard action from Stead steadied the home sides innings.

Stead was eventually the last player dismissed, caught at long off, having scored exactly half of Cumberland's response of 122.

Staffs used just the three seam bowlers, who toiled manfully to dismiss the home side in 49.1 overs. Purser finished with 2-46, Willott 4- 33 and Edwards 4-32 on his first appearance of the season for the county.

With just two overs to face before the close of play, Staffs lost Karl Quiney to the first ball before Peter Wilshaw and night watchman Russ Ballard survived the remaining 11 deliveries.

Play did not resume today until 2pm because of rain and in less than an hour Staffordshire had moved on to 47-1.

---

Bookmark with: what are these?