Cumberland crashed to an emphatic 8 wicket defeat to Cambridgeshire in the Opening Unicorns Championship League encounter.

The visitors had initially made a good start to the first days play after Sam Dutton top scored with 82 off 84 balls in a competitive first day total of 392-6. Michael Slack also contributed with a score of 73, while other scores of 52 by M Sempill as well as 72 by Ross Zelem saw Cumberland hold the advantage.

Cambridgeshire battled back on the second day when Captain Ben Howgego scored 136 off 168 balls, and while Toby Bulcock picked up figures of 3-137, Cambridgeshire closed with a lead of 20 runs after posting an imposing 392-6.

However, the damage was done in the afternoon of day two when Cumberland struggled with the bat after being restricted to a lead of 150, while the visitors had also lost 7 wickets, with J Vanderpeer doing the damage following a return of 2-11 off 11 overs.

Cambridgeshire went into day 3 with confidence and cleaned up the Cumberland lower order before the visitors were restricted to a slender lead of 170. J Vanderpeer closing on figures of 3-20 while Callum Guest posted a return of 3-47.

In reply, Cambridgeshire raced to victory when Howgego and Callum Guest posted a stand of 118. Howgego top scored with an undefeated 89 off 120 while Guest made 44-114 balls

Cambridgeshire finished the game off after 46.1 overs closing on 172-2. Cambridgeshire picked up 24 points while Cumberland claim 6 points.

Cumberland are next in action this Sunday (8 July), where they play Staffordshire in a 3 day Unicorns Minor Counties Championship game. The 3 day game will be hosted by Netherfield Cricket Club, with wickets pitched at 11am.