Cumbria batted poorly and threw away the chance of a first win in the NCCA Championship against Cambridgeshire at Kendal.
They had bowled well to dismiss the visitors twice and leave themselves just 87 to win but they collapsed to 62 all out, dismissed off the last ball of the final over.
It was a disappointing finish to a game in which Cumbria seemed to be in charge for long periods but ended up losing off the final ball of the contest.
Josh Stirling was bowled by James Cox without scoring which left Cumbria 25 runs short of victory, dismissed for 62 in 13 overs.
Cox took 7-26 from seven overs to rip the heart out of the Cumbria batting as five batsmen collected ducks and opener Evan Williams top-scored with 19.
It had got off to the worst possible start when big-hitting Freddie Fallows, the quickfire century hero from the first game against Northumberland, was promoted to open and was caught behind off Cox from the very first ball.
Skipper Matty Sempill followed the same way off the last ball of the over and Cumbria were 4-2. First innings hero Evan Williams was the key man for Cumbria now but he perished for 19 in the fourth over and although up with the rate they were three down for 22.
Ben Walkden tried to steady the innings, coming in at five, but he soon lost Ben Davidson (10) and Cumbria were 36-4. Although Nico Watt (12) shared a stand of 21 with Walkden when he went half the side had gone for 57 leaving 30 required in 3.2 overs.
Cumbria ploughed on and two of the youngsters, Sam Bates and Oliver Spedding both failed to trouble the scorers. It was now 58-7 and by now it hd become a question of whether Cambridgeshire could winkle out the last three wickets in 14 balls.
They could as Ed Moulton, Sam Sharp and Stirling succumbed – all to Cox – as Cambridgeshire celebrated a dramatic last ball win and 20 points with Cumbria having to settle for five.
Highlight for Cumbria on the final day was a fine knock of 114 by Kendal professional Williams, as largely through his efforts the home county enjoyed a first innings lead of 32.
Cambridgeshire’s second innings was held together by Callum Guest (35) and Thomason (28) but were bowled-out for 118 in 66.2 overs.
Fellows was Cumbria’s most successful bowler with 6-32 while first innings hero Sharp took 2-30.
It left 13 overs to get 87 to win and although Cumbria went for it they fell short in a dismal conclusion to a game which had often promised much.
