Cumbria have let slip a good position on the first day of their NCCA Championship game at Carlisle against Northumberland.
Although dismissed for 169 after electing to bat first, Cumbria hit back well and had dismissed half the Northumberland side for a mere 51.
Then a sixth wicket stand of 84 gave the Northumberland innings some substance, and when the seventh wicket fell the visitors were just six runs in arrears.
The eighth wicket partnership of former Keswick school teacher, skipper Oliver McGee (19no) and Matthew Oswell (16no) had taken Northumberland to 195-7 at the close, a lead of 26.
Their revival had been started by wicket-keeper John Oswell (71) and Alasdair Appleby (43) after Cumbria had hopes of keeping them below 100.
Skipper Michael Slack (4-39) and Ed Moulton (3-34) had taken the wickets between them.
Earlier in the day Cumbria had lost Slack (1) and Gary Pratt (3) with just six on the board but Freddie Fallows (51), Matthew Sempill (30) and Sam Dutton (27) did steady the ship and see them into three figures.
But debutant Greg Cameron (5) and Ben Davidson (4) both went cheaply and it was left to Moulton (29no) to coax the tail to a more respectable 169 all-out in 46.3 overs.
McGee took 5-59 for Northumberland with good support from Matt Oswell (3-28).
Play is due to resume this morning at Edenside at 11am.
