County Cricket - Lowe hits 128 but Cumberland lose (From The Westmorland Gazette)

County Cricket - Lowe hits 128 but Cumberland lose

11:27am Monday 2nd May 2011 in Sport

CUMBERLAND batsman James Lowe piled up 128 but finished on the losing side as Cheshire beat his side by six wickets in a last-over finish to the first game of the MCCA Trophy series at Neston on Sunday.

After Cumberland skipper Gary Pratt won the toss and batted, Lowe’s 128 was supplemented by Chris Thompson’s 61 out of a fewer than expected 282 for nine off the 50 overs, with David Woods (3-28) pick of the Cheshire attack.

Cheshire were equal to the task and Lee Dixon (77no), Warren Goodwin (59) and Andrew Hall (57no) helped get them home with five balls to spare at 284 for four.

Dixon and Hall featured in a match-winning unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 116.

Cumberland team manager Ian Sharp said: “It was disappointing to lose the opening game which had been a good competitive match.

“Our batting let us down - after a good opening were collapsed from 90-2 to 110-6.

“Our bowling and fielding was fine but Cheshire paced it well on a good batting track.”