CUMBERLAND suffered a third loss in the Minor Counties Cricket Association Trophy with a 114-run defeat against Staffordshire at Leek.

Stafford set a target of 261-7 with Alex Stead 104 not out and Danny Conway the pick of the Cumbelrand bowlers with 3-58.

Cumberland were dismissed for 147 as skipper Gary Pratt (41) and James Lowe (41) fared best with the bat.

Steven Sharp, Cumberland’s chairman of cricket, said: “It was another disappointing effort but we will be hoping to bounce back against Cheshire at Netherfield.”

The last Trophy match is set to take place at Parkside Road on Sunday, May 23.