DESPITE a spirited performance, Cumbria Under 17s lost by 76 runs to a strong MCC Select XI in a friendly encounter at Netherfield on Friday.

The Under 17s, who are managed by Arthur Brown, gave a good account against an experienced MCC team which included the host club's professional Bevan Small.

Cumbria started well after both Samuel Medhurst and Will Yarker picked up early wickets.

However, the MCC side pulled the game away from the youngsters when Chorley's Stuart Naden made a half century before retiring then Peter Maksimczk scored 101.

Small added extra runs before retiring on 54 before Netherfield second XI man Medhurst picked up two more wickets to claim the creditable figures of 3-17 as the MCC closed on 236-4.

Cumbria struggled in reply when David Lees picked up figures of 4-15.

Bradley Stephens top scored with an excellent 62 while Thomas Russell scored 27 in a battling partnership.

But their efforts were not enough to turn things round for the Cumbrian side and the MCC eventually eased to victory by bowling their opponents out for 160 off 41 overs.