CUMBERLAND missed out on a place in the prestigious third-round draw for next season's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy.

Martin Lewis and his men were comprehensively beaten by Devon at Exmouth in their second round tie.

Lewis won the toss and asked Devon to bat but after their 50 overs the home county had rattled-up the impressive total of 285-6 led by Bobby Dawson (138) and Matt Hunt (70no).

Cumberland were always struggling in reply and were eventually bowled out for 158 with both Mark Richards and Tony Anning claiming four wickets.

Opening bowler David Pennett was the only Cumberland batsman to cover himself in glory as he finished unbeaten on 51.

Lewis said: "I think we were second best in all departments.

They had three players missing but they gave us a good hiding.

In fact I think the score flattered us.

"We were 87-8 at one stage and only a late flourish by David Pennett got us past 150.

"I'm afraid there were a number of poor shots played and we just weren't in the contest.

"The best performance, apart from David's late knock, came from Marcus Sharp.

He bowled his ten overs for a cost of just 20 runs, and he took a wicket.

Against some good batsmen that was an exceptional spell," said Lewis.

Cumberland had to reshape their side following Ian Austin's withdrawal.

"We thought we had picked a strong team but Gareth White has started teaching now and was on a course

during the week while Jonathan Fielding's wife had still not had the baby which was due ten days earlier.

"It's been a bad year all round, with just the one in over Notts CB in the first round of this competition.

We need to take a good look at how we tackle things next year," said the Cumberland skipper.

Cumberland did not win a single match in the Minor Counties Eastern Division or in the group stages of the ECB 38 Counties competition.