Cumbria were in a strong position at the end of the first day of their County Development game with Northumberland at Furness.
Replying to the host county’s 212-9, Northumberland were struggling on 119-8 at the close.
Cockermouth’s Sam Sharp, the senior player skippering the Cumbria side, had top-scored with 78 in a long stint at the wicket of over three hours.
Toby Tyson, a 20-year-old swing bowler from Kendal, weighed in with 37 not out while another bowler, Cockermouth’s Josh Brown added a valuable 27 after Cumbria had slumped to 70-5.
Sharp, who has opened the bowling for both the Cumbria senior side and Cockermouth, did not use himself but left the attack to the younger men he had at his disposal and they did not let him down.
Carlisle’s spin pair of Josh Stirling (2-9) and Jonny Westgarth (2-14), as well as the pace of Workington’s Ben Scott (2-31) did most of the damage but there were wickets for Workington’s Sam Holt (1-15) and Cockermouth’s Brown (1-14).
It could be a strength sapping final day for both teams with soaring temperatures to contend with.
