Cumberland had to settle for a draw in their second Minor Counties game against Cambridgeshire at March.
They were put into a strong position by James Smith and James Beaumont, their overnight batsmen, when Cumberland resumed today on 188-6.
The pair stayed together to create a record seventh wicket stand for the county, putting on 204 in an unbroken partnership.
Smith (pictured alongside) finished with 130 not out and Beaumont was on 77 not out when skipper Marcus Sharp declared at 356-6.
That set the home county a target of 313 to win and when the final hour was completed they had reached 285-8.
A good game of cricket had ended in a draw, with both sides still thinking they could win it late in the day.
Cumberland were definitely on top at one stage as they had Cambridgeshire 134-5 but a sixth wicket strand of 123 by James Williams (69) and Lewis Bruce (59no) revived the home side.
Chris Miller was Cumberland’s most successful bowler with 3-83 while skipper Sharp took 2-4.
Cumberland, much happier with this performance than they were with the opening defeat by Hertfordshire, resume their programme on July 5, 6, and 7 at Barrow against Staffordshire.
The Cumbrians take nine points from the game – two batting, three bowling and four for the draw – while Cambridgeshire picked-up 11 points – three batting, four bowling and four for the draw.
