Preston v Lancashire Colts
Lancashire Colts (15pts) defeated Preston (0pts) by 58 runs
Lancashire Colts 161/4 (G Platten 63, W Chapples 63), Preston 103
Meanwhile a superb unbeaten 118 from Jonathan Miles inspired Cumberland's long wait for a victory in the MCCA Trophy in his side's eight wickets triumph at Jesmond.
The Cumberland side included six current Northern League cricketers.
Miles, the Barrow born 20-year-old opening batsman, now playing for Kendal CC scored his maiden one-day hundred for the County against Northumberland to end a win-less streak stretching back over three years.
Since defeating Oxfordshire at Workington in May 2008 the County had lost ten games in a row and then had their scheduled game against Staffordshire at Penrith a fortnight ago abandoned. Their form was in direct contrast to their three-day performances with Cumberland undefeated in the Championship last season.
With Cheshire losing to Shropshire Cumberland still have a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals if they can defeat 2010 MCCA Trophy winners Shropshire at Netherfield next Sunday.
Currently Shropshire have 6pts, Cheshire 5, Cumberland 3 and Northumberland and Staffordshire one apiece.
Cheshire have finished their fixtures and so Cumberland need to win and also better their net run rate.
Barrow's Graham Dawson and Liam Livingstone, the Morecambe pair of Ikram Ullah and Chris Williams and Netherfield batsman Alex Atkinson were also in the Cumberland side.
After being invited to bat Northumberland made 248/9 in bright but blustery conditions at the County Ground.
Left-handed opening batsman Danny Shurben and former Cumberland player Chris Hooker each made half-centuries.
Shurben reached 51 off 66 balls before he was caught by Dawson off James Lowe while Hooker, batting at no7 blasted 56 off only 38 balls until be has well caught in the deep by Livingstone off Williams.
Barrow's Liam Livingstone bowled an important spell for Cumberland |
Morecambe all-rounder Williams, on debut took 2/34 and Dawson 2/49 with off-spinner Jamie Beaumont producing a crucial mid-innings spell to take 2/32 from his ten over-spell. Lancashire Academy squad member Livingstone and fellow off-spinner James Lowe each took one wicket in an impressive display of out-cricket by Gary Pratt's side.
Barrow's Graham Dawson took two important wickets in Cumberland's win |
Though most of the home batsmen made a start their total was reckoned by local knowledge to be 30 runs or so under-par. The seventh wicket stand of 76 between Hooker and wicketkeeper Phil Nicholson (29 not out) was responsible for their testing target.
Miles and Lowe batted sensibly to give Cumberland a solid foundation. Lowe, a century-maker in Cumberland's defeat at Neston against Cheshire was the dominant partner, reaching 50 out of 78 in the 15th over. Lowe had made 65 off 77 balls before he fell to a well-judged catch by Shurben at mid on off Michael Craigs, having posted 121 for the opening stand with Miles.
Ikram Ullah fell for 8, another victim of Craigs who returned the impressive figures of 2/36 and with Cumberland 138/2 the home side spied their opportunity of getting back into the game.
But Miles batted with growing confidence to forge a match-winning partnership with skipper Gary Pratt. Having reached his half-century in the 25th over out of 121, Miles made his century in the 44th over out of 221.
Miles was unbeaten on 118 at the close with 19 balls remaining, having faced 141 balls and hit 13 fours and three sixes. Captain Pratt was unbeaten on 39 off 53 balls as Cumberland celebrated an important victory at 5.39pm.
Morecambe bowler Chris Williams took two wickets on his County debut |
