Cumbria’s opening NCA Championship game is nicely poised going into the final day at Carlisle’s Edenside.
At the end of a fluctuating second day visitors Northumberland led by 205 with two second innings wickets in hand.
After their opponents had been bowled out for 242 on Sunday, Cumbria never really built on their overnight total of 42-1 and were dismissed for 172to trail by 70.
Nathan Waterston (40) and Matthew Sempill (34) were the leading scorers for Cumbria who struggled against the left arm spin of Oliver McGee who finished with 6-49.
Openers Jack Jessop (32) and Sol Bell (31) gave Northumberland a solid start second time round but then a good spell from Matthew Siddall, the only non-Cumbrian in the line-up, put the hosts back into the contest.
The left-arm seamer took 3-34 and from that point Cumbria began to pick-up wickets, and despite a knock of 44 from Alasdair Appleby reduced them to 135-8 at the close.
The other five Cumbrian bowlers picked-up a wicket apiece and if they can get the last two wickets quickly it will be set for an exciting finish.
