Cumbria will feel reasonably satisfied with their first day’s performance of the NCA Championship game with Bedfordshire.
But there will also be the nagging belief that they could have done better than the close of play score would suggest.
Bedfordshire closed on 178-9 but at various points in the day were 44-4, 120-6 and 152-9 and in the end a stubborn last wicket partnership has frustrated the visitors.
Paul Hindmarch proved to be the main threat as the Cockermouth pro opened the bowling and from 14 overs took 5-34.
Sam Sharp (2-19), Matty Lowden (1-49) and Matthew Siddall (1-51) were the other wicket-takers for Cumbria who bowled 68 overs in the day after a delayed start.
Amrit Basra (61) and opener Eddie Ballard (33) played key innings for the hosts with tail-enders Joe Lowe(12no) and Tom Brett (9no) adding valuable resistance for the final wicket.
Cumbria lost their opening three-day Championship game to Northumberland while Bedfordshire have played twice and drawn them both.
