Cumbria double up at Barrow

NCCA T20 - Group 1

Cumbria v Cheshire (Doble Header), Barrow-in-Furness CC

Match 1: Cheshire 85 (18.1 overs), Cumbria 86-3 (18.1 overs). Cumbria won by 7 wickets.  

Scorecard  Match stream  Group 1 Table NCCA Match Centre

Highlights: Kevin Carroll 20* , Andy Dufty 2-21 (Cheshire) Freddie Fallows 3-26, Matt Semphill 33, Ben Walkden 30*

Match 2: Cheshire 118-8-(20 overs), Cumbria 121-1 (9.4 overs). Cumbria won by 9 wickets. 

Highlights: Dan Newton 64, Harry Dearden 25 (Cheshire), Louis Backhouse 4-20 (Cumbria), Sam Dutton 50*, Freddie Fallows 44

Scorecard  Match stream  Group 1 Table NCCA Match Centre

Cheshire failed to get out of their T20 rut as they slipped to double defeat for the second time running.

A difficult pitch first time round saw them muster just 85 and although Cumbria got home by seven wickets, the feeling was a score of 100 - 110 on a low and slow track could have made it pretty interesting.

But the accuracy of the Lancashire-fuelled home attack kept Cheshire at bay, aided by some poor shot selection at times.

Kevin Carroll top scored with 20 before being run out by a direct hit and Freddie Fallows took 3-26. Matt Semphill top scored with 33 in the reply while Andy Dufty took 2-21. A grafter's wicket meant it took 18.1 overs for both sides to manage their totals. 

The second game promised better as Cheshire looked more positive from the off. Timperley's Freddie Vaughan Hawkin's replaced Jack Corran in the line-up with an ill Alex Money restricted to batting.

A decent start faltered however, Dan Newton's fine 64 and Harry Dearden's 25 the only players to reach double figures. Cumbria's Louis Backhouse excelled with 4-20.

A 118-8 total felt more encouraging but then the hosts upped the ante blasting the ball around (and out of) the ground from the off, reaching the Cheshire total in just 9.4 overs. Chief destroyers were Sam Dutton (50*) and Fallows (44).

With just one round of matches left (at Oxton next Sunday against Northumberland), Cheshire must now hope to win both games and Staffordshire to fall short against Cumbria to have a chance of reaching the super 12's stage. The run rate also needs a boost.