Cumberland just missed out in a thrilling run chase at Netherfield on the hottest day of the year so far and had to settle for a draw in their Championship game against Cambridgeshire.

Set 258 to win from 35 overs, Gary Pratt's side finished 13 runs short on 245-8 after a compelling drama-filled last session.

Neil Longhurst and Sam Dutton set up the chase with an opening partnership of 56 before Dutton fell for 20.

Longhurst and Glen Weightman then added 64 in seven overs until Longhurst went for 56.

Skipper Pratt's dismissal for a first-ball duck, caught and bowled by Cambridgeshire skipper Lewis Bruce, was a massive blow, but Cumberland never gave up the chase.

Weightman made an impressive 50 off 46 balls, including three huge sixes and fellow debutant Bob Carr weighed in with 47 but, despite further contributions from Mattie McKiernan and Adam Syddall, Cumberland just failed in their pursuit of victory.

The draw ends Cumberland's hopes of retaining the Unicorns Championship title they lifted for the third time last year, but there were plenty of positives to emerge from the game.

With a much-changed side, including five players on Championship debut, 19-year-old wicketkeeper Ben Howarth had another stand-out performance with a near-faultless display. Leg-spinner McKiernan wheeled his way through 39 first innings overs, taking 5-101 as Cambs were bowled out for 260 in the first innings.

The 22-year-old looks set to follow Richard Gleeson as the latest Cumberland player to play County Cricket with several first-class counties monitoring his progress.

Supported by Toby Bulcock, whose 4-85 from 31.3 overs was another fine effort on a superb batting track, Cumberland's spin twins combined effectively with opener Peter Richer (51) and James Williams (68) providing the main resistance.

Dutton and stand-in opener Bulcock then posted 100 for the first wicket as Cumberland replied in positive fashion.

Dutton was bowled by Bruce after making 70 off 72 balls in only his second Championship match and Bulcock (31), Weightman (33) and Carr (38)also batted well. Carr was a last gasp replacement for Wigton pro Michael Slack who pulled out through injury. A stand of 117 for the sixth wicket between Pratt (68) and McKiernan (75) helped Cumberland secure maximum batting points.

Facing a first innings deficit of 113, Cambs player-coach Ben Smith steered them away from danger with a painstaking six-and-a-half hour innings that saw him remain unbeaten on 168. The 44-year-old former Leicestershire and Worcestershire batsman, a veteran of over 600 first-class and List A games frustrated the Cumberland bowlers though he survived two chances in the field. Smith received good support from teenager Mino Mniszko in a fifth-wicket stand of 147 that ate up 46 overs. Cambs skipper Bruce smashed an unbeaten 40 against some occasional bowlers to finally set up a declaration.

McKiernan and Bulcock combined to bowl 77 second innings overs, taking 3-130 between them but despite their stranglehold were unable to bowl out the visitors on a pitch that was a batsman's paradise. The Netherfield club were perfect hosts and an appreciative crowd were delighted to watch an uninterrupted game after the recent poor weather.