Cumbria are through to the semi-final of the NCCA Trophy competition after a good win over Cheshire at Keswick.
As in the quarter final, also at Fitz Park, Cumbria had to take on the weather as well as the opposition – although fortunately this time it did not cause any lengthy interruptions.
Cumbria had been invited to bat first by their visitors and lost Freddie Fallows to the second ball of the innings when he looped up a catch to mid-wicket.
They were coming to the end of the ninth over when Sam Dutton (22) skied one to short fine leg and Cumbria were 40-2.
Ben Walkden (30) put on 26 in seven overs with former skipper Gary Pratt before his he had off-stump flattened by a good delivery from Joe Cooke.
From that point Pratt, who finished unbeaten on 69, provided Cumbria with a vital sheet anchor as he first of all shared in a fourth wicket stand of 81 with current skipper Michael Slack (31) in just shy of 21 overs.
When Slack was trapped leg before to left arm spinner Steven Green there was immediate concern when Matthew Sempill was caught at mid-on for only one and at 153-5 there were just 12 overs left.
Pratt was able to add important runs with Edwin Moulton (12) and Nico Watt (10) before the overs ran out at 208-8. Cumbria were also helped by 31 extras.
Opening bowler Chris Sanders did best for Cheshire with 4-40 off his ten overs.
There was a big downpour between innings and when Cheshire were able to get out and start their reply they were soon in trouble.
The openers were soon back in the pavilion after six overs with Moulton clean bowling Ben Kohler-Cadmore (7) and Slack trapping Sam Perry (3) leg before.
They were soon 28-3 when a beautiful delivery from Slack caught the edge of Henry Dobson’s bat and wicket keeper Drew Postlethwaite did the rest.
Skipper Harry Dearden (27) lost Cooke cheaply, and then when he himself was given out lbw to Fallows Cheshire were rocking on 64-5.
There was another interruption for rain during a profitable sixth wicket stand for Cheshire and that partnership had yielded 82 when Alex Money (61) was bowled by Moulton.
Luke Young (43) stayed to cause a few problems for Cumbria but when he was ninth out, caught by Slack off Siddall, Cheshire still needed 28 off 4.2 overs. A couple of lusty blows from Steven Green (25) gave Cheshire hope but at 194 with 2.4 overs to go Siddall had him leg before to secure the victory.
Moulton (3-29), Slack (3-33), Siddall (2-31) and Fallows (2-33) were the Cumbrian wicket-takers.
In the semi-final Cumbria will travel to Suffolk who beat Northumberland, runners-up in Cumbria’s Group, by 132 runs.
Suffolk made 219-8, led by opener Darren Batch (57) and then bowled out Northumberland for 132 with Jack Beaumont taking 3-13.
