Cumbria lost their NCCA Championship game with Hertfordshire at Netherfield by 54 runs, but a brilliant innings from Freddie Fallows almost turned the tide.
Set 318 to win, the home county looked to be far from dangerous as they slipped to 74-5 before a stand of 127 between skipper Matty Sempill and Fallows gave them a chance.
It was a partnership dominated by the big hitting Fallows as Sempill was happy enough to look on as the Kendal all-rounder flogged the visitors’ bowling.
In a remarkable show of hitting Fellows reached his 50 off 26 balls in 17 minutes and that was largely made up of boundaries – six fours and four sixes.
His second 50 was even quicker – off 13 deliveries in 11 minutes and made up of three fours and six sixes.
Fallows plundered two more fours and another six before this brutal innings ended on 118, surely a record fastest 50 and hundred for Cumbria, or Cumberland since they joined the Minor Counties.
It was then up to Sempill to guide the tail but although Nico Watt showed his usual enterprise he went for 16 and Cumbria slumped to 233-9.
Wicket-keeper Alister Craig survived 30 deliveries without scoring but was finally bowled by Andrew Neal and Sempill was left unbeaten on 67.
In the morning Hertfordshire had resumed at 187-6 and Cumbria did really well to claim the last four wickets for the addition of only 32 runs.
Skipper Sempill finished with 5-54 while Fallows had 3-79 and the other wicket-taker was Watt with 1-33.
