Hertfordshire are in a strong position against Cumbria, going into the final day of the NCCA Championship game at Netherfield.
With a first innings lead of 98 they had reached 187-6 at close of play on the second day.
Responding to the visitors’ first innings total of 355, Cumbria had resumed in the morning at 67-2 with Will Fraine seemingly well set.
In fact the former Yorkshire batsman proceeded to top score with a patient 83 after three hours at the crease.
When he went in the 56th over Cumbria had struggled to 155-6 and they needed an equally patient 60 from Carlisle’s Ben Davidson to give the innings more substance.
Nico Watt (29), not for the first time, provided runs down the order and eventually Cumbria got to 257 when they were bowled-out in the 89th over.
Cumbria were looking for quick wickets when Hertfordshire batted again but openers Dominic Chatfield (36) and Archie Harrison put on 71 for the first wicket inside 21 overs before Watt provided the breakthrough.
Harrison, however, proved a major obstacle and he was still there at the close 76 not out and an unbroken seventh wicket stand with wicket-keeper Leo Davis (24no) steadied the ship after they had slipped to 151-6.
Cumbria skipper Matthew Sempill was the main reason why they had lost six wickets as he had four of them for 39 off 14 overs.
Watt (1-33) and Freddie Fallows (1-73) were the other wicket-takers.
