THE SIGHT of ex-England Test bowler Devon Malcolm bowling was one of the treats for spectators watching Cumberland's opening Minor Counties Championship match against Suffolk at Netherfield's sun-drenched Parkside Road ground this week.

Malcolm helped to ensure that there was no happy ending for Cumberland, who lost by eight wickets.

Cumberland made a promising start to the three-day fixture, making over 300 runs in their first innings with David Barnes hitting a marvellous debut 135.

Despite holding a 34-run lead after Suffolk replied, the hosts then had to battle back from a collapse and left Suffolk to make 219 which they achieved in 54 overs.

After new county captain Marcus Sharp won the toss and elected to bat, Cumberland openers Steven Knox (26) and Scott Richardson (39) added 45 for the first wicket.

Barnes's innings became the centre-piece of the innings. He and Ashley Metcalfe shared a third-wicket stand of 103 until Metcalfe departed for 66, bowled by Trevor Smith in his second spell.

Barnes then found support from Robert Mason (30), but the latter's dismissal off Paul King, the pick of the bowling attack with 4-74, was followed one run later by Robert Smith, bowled by Malcolm, who took 4-89, without scoring.

The last five Cumberland wickets only added 55 as the innings closed on 324.

Cumberland pace bowlers Ian Hunter and David Roooney had Suffolk in some trouble as they ended the first day on 62-4 after they both took two wickets.

Nevertheless on the second morning Nic Lee (60) and Phil Cayley featured in a fifth-wicket stand of 116 until Lee was caught by Sharp off Rooney.

Suffolk skipper Cayley made an aggressive 96 as he and wicket-keeper Chris Warn (33) continued the recovery to 219 before Rooney bowled the former. The tail wagged and they were dismissed for 290 which only gave Cumberland a lead of 34. Hunter took 4-81 and Rooney 4-93.

Bad light, which brought an early end to the second day's play, did not help Cumberland's cause and they were 89-3 at the end of the second day.

Crucially, Suffolk made a vital breakthrough next morning for the addition of only nine runs by dismissing Metcalfe, caught by King off Smith for 23, which was to be the highest score by a Cumberland batsmen on the day.

The opening pace bowlers Malcolm and Smith, assisted by some poor Cumberland batting, dismissed the hosts for 184, Smith finishing with 5-81 and Malcolm 4-71.

Suffolk were set to make 219 for victory and it was after lunch before a wicket fell with the score on 48.

There followed a decisive 149 partnership for the second wicket between Ben France and Tim Catley that put Suffolk firmly in charge.

It was broken when France was caught by Marc Hadwin off Smith for a damaging 86, having hit a six and 13 fours.

Despite the breakthrough, the damage was done and Catley, who made a top-scoring 91, and Mark Jones steered Suffolk to victory.

Afterwards, Cumberland team manager Ian Sharp said: "Cumberland did not post enough runs for Suffolk to chase on a good batting track.

"Nevertheless it was pleasing to see David Barnes hit his maiden century, but the lower end of the batting order were unable to cope with Devon Malcolm's pace."