CUMBERLAND Cricket Club miss out on a place in the draw for next year's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy after the unseasonal weather did them no favours.

Rain denied Marcus Sharp's side any chance of gaining the win they needed to qualify for the premier national knockout competition as they faced a last-day run-chase against Norfolk at Carlisle last week.

When the match of the season had to be abandoned, ex-Lancashire bat Graham Lloyd was at the crease with Dean Williams and the score on 123-6.

After the captains had got their heads together to produce a manufactured finish in the last Minor Counties match of the season, Cumberland had been asked to make 207 runs for victory off 65 overs.

Earlier, the sun shone for the opening of the three-day fixture as Norfolk made 181 in their first innings, with Glen Capstick top-scoring on 55, while the pick of Cumberland's bowlers were David Rooney (3-27) and Richard Waite (3-47).

Cumberland's first-innings reply relied heavily on David Barnes (53no) and Lloyd (33no) as they made 126-5 on a rain-hit second day before declaring in order to allow the match to proceed as a contest.

Norfolk made 151-2 in their second innings, Carl Rogers hitting 70 and passing 7,000 runs for the county in the process as he took advantage of the convivial bowling.

Cumberland surrendered early wickets in pursuit of the pre-arranged target, but a stand of 42 between Rhys Williams and Scott Richardson put them in with a chance.

But with Lloyd still there at 123-6, the weather had the final say, Cumberland's eight-point haul not enough to prevent them missing out on the highly desirable C & G ticket, with its chance of facing first-class opposition, by one place in the league table.

Cumberland skipper Marcus Sharp said: "Looking back on the season the side improved when it had better balance, which brought victories against Cambridgeshire and Stafford-shire.

"It's been great to have batsmen who can bowl and bowlers who can bat such as Sam Seadon, James Wisneski, Ben Harrison and Rhys Williams.

"If asked, I am prepared to carry on captaining the side. The team spirit is excellent and we had six Cumbrians in out 12-man squad which is something the committee has been striving to achieve."