Cumbria lost their NCCA Championship game to Northumberland after they made a sporting, if not particularly generous declaration.
They had set a target of 141 runs for Northumberland to win in the last hour (17 overs) and the visitors responded positively, winning with five balls to spare.
That was largely due to big-hitting from John Oswell who made 78 from 36 balls in an innings which included seven sixes and three fours. In his first knock he had made 71 with six sixes and six fours.
After a largely interrupted second day, Tuesday’s final day started late after an early Edenside lunch when Northumberland resumed their first innings, adding a further 41 runs before being dismissed for 261 – a lead of 92.
Michael Slack was Cumbria’s most successful bowler, taking 5-61.
Cumbria then topped 200 for the first time in the championship this year thanks to Sam Dutton reaching 106 not out from 94 balls, which was followed in the same over by the declaration.
The declaration came at 232-6 and supporters were then treated to an exciting finish as Oswell inspired Northumberland to a dramatic victory.
