Cumbria certainly made runs while the sun shone on the opening day of their final NCCA Championship game against Norfolk.
Their first innings total of 411-8 in 90 overs was the third highest in the county’s history.
But the 235 runs scored by opener Will Fraine was a county best – by a fair margin.
It topped the 172 made by Ashley Metcalfe against Northumberland at Jesmond in 2003.
The Manor Park pitch proved ideal for some quick scoring, although it is worth noting that Cumbria – in reaching such a big score – had lost half their side for just 89 and had been 4-2.
From that unlikely launch pad Fraine found able allies in Freddie Fallows (70) and Ed Moulton (57no) to fire Cumbria to their impressive total.
Fraine, 28, a former Yorkshire and Notts county player, batted for just a shade over five-and-a-half hours and faced 253 deliveries.
He hit 33 fours and four sixes and shared in a new record eighth wicket stand of 194 with Moulton.
That topped the 145 runs put on by Alan Wishart and Aubrey Talbot at Edgbaston against Warwickshire Seconds in 1965.
Fallows’ knock was a typically aggressive one – 70 off 50 deliveries with 10 fours and two sixes.
At the end of the day Norfolk had reached 56-0 off 17 overs.
Cumbria’s exploits on the first day would have been enjoyed by former wicket-keeper Dickie Spruce whose death was announced on Saturday.
The two sides held a minute’s silence ahead of start of play and Richard Ellwood spoke eloquently about his friend’s influence on the game in Cumbria.
He said: “The cricket world has lost one of it’s finest this week, Dickie Spruce from Penrith will be remembered for many things.
“A Minor Counties cricketer he was a fine wicket-keeper/batsman whose playing career was limited due to him running his sports shop.
“Sportscraft was one of the finest cricket shops in the country and Dickie’s knowledge and reputation was second to none.
“He went on to be a very popular team manager of this side and liked nothing more than a curry with the lads after a hard day’s play.
“However, it is as a coach that he has had the most influence, of the original Advanced Coaches, and along with John Moyes had a massive influence on Cumbrian cricket for many years.
“This included producing a continuous crop of young talent but, in also encouraging and mentoring new coaches, his legacy lives on.
“However, most of all Dickie was a lovely man liked by all, so our thoughts are with his family – wife Susan and children David and Jenny.”
