CUMBERLAND lost by one wicket to Staffordshire in an exciting finish at Knypersley on Tuesday.

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The final day of Cumberland's three-day Minor Championship game against Staffordshire began with Cumberland looking to extend their overnight lead of 220.

Captain Marcus Sharp and Chris Hooker played admirably to take the lead to 248 before Hooker was caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Morris for 23, leaving Sharp 10 not out - setting Staffs 249 to win..

In reply the Staffordshire openers, Wilshaw and Brierley started positively against the new ball pairing of Craven and Smith (Hooker unable to bowl due to aggravating an old injury, leaving Cumberland short of bowling resources) and took the score to 31 before Sharp, who had just brought himself on to bowl, removed Brierley lbw for 12.

Cairns then joined Wilshaw and took the score to 62 before Wilshaw was also given out lbw to the same bowler for 23.

Seadon joined Cairns began to play himself in slowly but prepared to put the bad ball away for four when the opportunity arose.

Cairns was next to go for 39 with the score on 94, caught by Knox from the bowling of Craven. This brought the Staffs captain Harvey to the crease, and he attacked the bowling from the word go until caught behind by Gary Pratt from the bowling of Craven for a cameo 24 from 22 balls with four fours.

Sheikh was the fifth wicket to fell, caught and bowled Sharp for six with the score now at 154.

Wicketkeeper Goodwin then joined Seadon for a brief partnership until Seadon was dismissed from the bowling of Sharp for 52 with the score at 165-6.

Jones then joined Goodwin and played well adding 31 until Goodwin was removed by Sharp, again lbw, for 15 from 52 balls.

At 196-7 the game was ther to win for Cumberland but the tail hung on in to win the game by one wicket, with Jones dismissed for 33 and Wilmott removed for 12, both by Hey bowling left-arm spin.

Bowling figures for the Cumberland bowlers were; Craven 27-3-63-2; Sharp 21-7-59-5; Hey 28.3-6-78-2; Raikes 6-1-22-0; Smith 3-0-16-0.

Once again Cumberland were involved in a nail- biting finish but this time not getting the rub of the green to take the winning points which would have kept them in contention for the championship.

The game at Keswick will provide the players selected with the chance to stake a claim for a place in next year's squad.