CUMBERLAND went to the top of the Eastern Division of the Unicorns Championship after a stunning fightback to earn a fine victory by seven wickets against Bedfordshire at Bedford School.

Toby Bulcock, Richard Gleeson, Jon Miles, Chris Hodgson, Will Hale and skipper Gary Pratt all turned in fine performances to earn the county a sixth win in seven Championship games.

But victory hopes seemed distant as Bedfordshire dominated the first four sessions and almost forced the visitors to follow-on.

Luke Thomas amassed his fourth century of the season to spearhead Bedfordshire’s imposing first innings of 397, the tall left-handed opener making 101 and sharing an opening stand of 141 with Charlie Thurston (70).

Beds skipper James Middlebrook (56) and George Thurstance (78) piled on the agony on a hot Sunday afternoon before Bulcock and Hodgson restored some credibility with a late recovery.

Bulcock collected four wickets and Hodgson, the county player-coach and Wigton pro, took five for 87 – his first five-wicket haul for the county as Beds lost their last seven wickets for 63 runs.

Hale held the Cumberland reply together, making a classy 125 in just under four hours, his first Championship century in only his third game. But with wickets tumbling around him, Hale finally fell to Ed Wharton to be eighth man out with the score on 215.

Bulcock fell soon after for a fighting 39 and it was left to the last wicket pair of Hodgson (26 not out) and Gleeson (27) to not only add 57 and earn a third batting point, but also see their side past the follow-on mark of 248.

After conceding a first innings deficit of 116 Cumberland’s victory hopes looked distant. But after Thurston was bowled by Sam Wood for 28, Thomas was then caught by Miles in the close field off Bulcock to leave Beds 67 for 2.

Then followed an amazing collapse as Beds lost their last nine wickets for 20 runs, slow left armer Bulcock capturing a spellbinding five for three off 9.4 overs, supported by fast bowler Gleeson who took four for 59.

Cumberland, left with a victory target of 204 lost Hale and Josh Tolley before the close on the second day for 29, but Michael Slack helped Miles add 62 for the third wicket on a tense third morning.

Pratt then joined Miles and calmed Cumberland fears with an unbeaten 66 off 62 balls. Miles made an unbeaten 79 off 128 balls as the pair shared a stand of 113 in 18 overs to see their side over the finishing line soon after lunch.

Tolley and Pratt shared the wicketkeeping duties afterLiam Parkinson was a late withdrawal.

Bedfordshire v Cumberland at Bedford School, 19-21 July. Bedfordshire 397 (L Thomas 101, G Thurstance 78, C Thurston 70, J Middlebrook 56, CJ Hodgson 5/87, T Bulcock 4/137) and 87 (T Bulcock 5/3, RJ Gleeson 4/59); Cumberland 281 (WDC Hale 125, E Wharton 4/61) and 204 for 3 (JWR Miles 79no, GJ Pratt 66no). Cumberland (23pts) beat Beds (8pts) by 7 wickets.