In a thrilling NCA quarter final tie at Barrow, Cumbria squeezed through with victory over Suffolk by five runs.
It was a topsy turvy contest, with fortunes swaying to and fro, and some outstanding contributions on both sides.
Cumbria had been put into bat and lost three early wickets for 25 before skipper Gary Pratt (19) helped steady the ship.
But it was really the fifth wicket stand of 70 between Paul Hindmarch (52)and Matthew Sempill (51) – two Cockermouth team-mates -which gave the innings some substance.
With a useful 22 not out from tailender Sam Sharp, Cumbria eventually reached 213-9 from their 50 overs. Darren Batch with 3-33 was Suffolk’s most successful bowler.
Suffolk started well enough but from 40-1 slumped to 62-7 with Tom Rash retiring hurt with a calf strain.
But a stirring eighth wicket stand-off 98 between Josh Cartmell (63) and Adam Mansfield (52) got them back on track. Even Rash came back to bat with a runner.
Eventually they needed 13 off the final over but could only manage seven to finish on 208-9 with Rash (21no). Matt Siddall was the most successful bowler with 3-35.
