MICHAEL Slack’s magnificent seven-fer followed by a ton from Sam Dutton helped secure a victory for Cumbria CCC against Cheshire CCC at Didsbury CC on Sunday.

With just his eighth ball Slack (Carlisle CC) bowled Cheshire opener Jamie Crawley.

By the time he finished his first bowling spell, Slack had bagged a further four wickets with a variety of methods (field catch by Matt Siddall, lbw, bowled, caught behind by Wigton CC keeper Thomas Benn).

Slack and James McGown (Keswick CC) handed the balls to Paul Hindmarch (Carlisle CC) and Sam Sharp (Cockermouth CC) with Cheshire on 47 for five off 13 overs.

This first change pair continued to contain Cheshire before handing over to the spinning duo of Siddall and Nico Watt (Wigton CC). Siddall trapped David Wainwright lbw with the last ball of his first over.

The last four Cheshire wickets were taken by Sharp (lbw), Slack (catch by Matthew Sempill, Cockermouth CC), Sharp (catch by captain Gary Pratt, Richmondshire CC) and Slack (lbw in 47th over).

With a target of 173 to win Sam Dutton (formerly Furness CC, now Blackpool CC) and the indomitable Slack came to the crease.

A determined Dutton scored 5 boundaries in his first 14 balls.

By the time Slack was out caught for a useful 19 off 57 balls in the 18th over Cumbria were already over half-way to the required total.

Nathan Waterston (Furness CC) established another good partnership with Dutton followed by Pratt staging a quickfire cameo. Dutton eventually got out caught in the 28th over for a brilliant 102 off 79 balls with 17 fours and two sixes.

Hindmarch and Benn secured the win for Cumbria in the 34th over. Didsbury CC, staging their first NCCA match, were excellent hosts.

There was an impressive crowd of all ages from babies in arms to older people.

The match, described as "unreal" by a "very proud chairman of cricket," Gareth White.

Cumbria next face Staffordshire on 13 June at Cockermouth CC.