Cumbria have played three matches at Under-17’s level – improving all the time and in good heart for the next match against Shropshire at Wellington CC on Wednesday and Thursday.

The opener against Scotland at Warton was unfortunate as the team did not perform well in any of the disciplines - batting poorly, bowling a poor line and not being at their best in the field.

Cumbria batted first and totalled 172 all out, a below par score, which saw Ryan Carruthers (Cockermouth) top scoring with 31.

Scotland ended the day on 126-6 and with clouds looming overhead they reached 185-6 on the morning of the second day before rain prevented any further play.

Dan McDermott (Workington) 16-5-34-2 and Nick Birtle (Penrith) 9-2-32-2 were the pick of the bowlers. Scotland 15 points, Cumbria 3 points.

Against Herefordshire at Eastnor the performance was much better in all departments but again the weather played its part with no play being possible on the first day.

Rules catered for a one day match on the second day with 60 overs per side. Herefordshire batted first and totalled189 all out off 50.1 overs.

Captain Alex Atkinson (Netherfield) produced figures of 12.1-23-5 which is an excellent effort being pressed into opening the bowling due a number of unavailabilities.

Cumbria had 69 overs to reach the total which was accomplished in some style with Atkinson truly the man of the match. As Cumbria reached 192-1 off 35 overs Atkinson made 107 not out off 107 balls, including 13 fours and four sixes (one going through a marquee roof).

He was ably supported by Tom McGeen (Workington) with 54 not out including seven fours and a six.

During the Cumbria innings the cricket ground was subjected to a swarm of bees attacking four elderly spectators which necessitated the game being held up for 55 minutes while paramedics attended to the injured.

The Air Ambulance helicopter landed on the field and two of the spectators were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Cumbria 16 points Herefordshire 2 points .

Cumbria’s performance against Northumberland at Netherfield was another excellent effort but was again badly affected by rain with play not commencing on the first day until 3pm when Northumberland elected to bat.

At the close of play they were 182-9 due to accurate and hostile pace bowling by McDermott. The second day started with a wide from McDermott but his next delivery clean bowled the last batsman.

Northumberland were 183 all out and McDermott produced the best ever bowling figures for Cumbria at this age group 18.1-8-34-8 which was an outstanding effort.

Cumbria started shakily at 36-2 but Atkinson and vice captain John Huck (Netherfield) retrieved the situation.

Eventually Atkinson fell for a stylish 51 at 110-3 and Huck was joined by Liam Livingston (Barrow) and they immediately set about the Northumberland bowling and produced a fourth wicket stand of 203.

Cumbria declared at 313-3 with Huck 132 not out, including 14 fours and two sixes off 163 balls and Livingston 101 not out including 10 fours and three sixes, both impressive in a brilliant partnership.
Northumberland were asked to bat again and had reached 116-3 at the close of the match. Cumbria19 points Northumberland 3 points.

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