SUPPORTERS who turned up in numbers at Netherfield’s Parkside Road this week to see Cumberland take on Cambridgeshire in a three day Minor Counties Championship clash were treated to an absorbing encounter which ended in a hard fought draw.

The hosts posted an imposing first innings score of 297 and had Cambridgeshire on the ropes at 168-9 only for a defiant last wicket stand to take them to 229 all out.

Cumberland then declared their second innings on 236-4 but despite reducing the visitors to 97-6, a combination of a stubborn seventh wicket stand and the arrival of rain denied the home side victory.