Rain ruined the second day of the NCCA Championship game at Bishop’s Stortford and Cumbria were unable to capitalise.
Just 30 overs were possible as play only started at 5.30pm after a 5pm inspection following rain which had fallen for the majority of the day.
Cumbria had bowled out Hertfordshire for 158 on Sunday and had finished the first day on 108-2.
But on the late resumption Cumbria immediately had to face a testing opening spell from Hertfordshire’s two ex-England under 19’s (and past and present Essex County) bowlers Jack Plom and Aaron Beard.
Six wickets were lost before the overnight 50 run deficit had been cleared and at the end of the day’s shortened play, Cumbria had a slender lead of 16 with two wickets in hand.
JJ Fielding (53), who had completed a half century late on the first day, was unable to add to his score, chopping onto his wicket from the first ball he faced.
His overnight partner Matty Sempill (19) hit a fine straight four and then he was clean bowled off the very next delivery.
Sam Dutton (11) soon followed, clean bowled by Plom before Ben Davidson (1) went to a superb catch in the covers as the ball nearly cleared him.
Skipper Michael Slack (15) was caught at slip and Drew Postlethwaite (0) was trapped leg before.
Nico Watt (20no) and Sam Sharp (6no) then saw out the last dozen overs sharing an unbroken 21-run partnership, the best of the day.
Ben Waring has 3-20; Plom (3-32) and Beard (2-45).
Play is scheduled to start at 10.30 am weather permitting.
