CUMBERLAND almost sneaked a win from under Northumberland' noses in their three-day Minor Counties Championship match at Jesmond this week.

Cumberland's acting skipper Gary Pratt had inserted the hosts and watched as Gary Scott, the ex-Durham batsman, made an unbeaten 176 from a total of 318.

Cumberland made a disastrous reply and were all out for 101 with Paul Hindmarch top-scoring with 20.

Following on, Cumberland fared much better, amassing 401 with Pratt shining with 149 (including 17 fours),and good support from Stead (48) and Smith (41).

It left Northumberland needing 185 to win in 34 overs, but with two of their batsmen unable to play.

Malkin had a dislocated finger and Symmington had left the ground because his wife had gone into labour.

Cumberland had their depleted opponents rocking at 61-4 with danger-men Scott and Parker back in the pavilion, and that became 151-6 with five overs left as Hindmarch (4-84) led the charge.

That gave Northumberland a target of 34 to win with only two wickets left before they were counted all out.

The last over arrived with 15 needed to win and two wickets still left. Two runs were scored and a wicket fell before the last ball was bowled and Northumberland successfully blocked it out, denying Cumberland a cheeky victory and drawing the match.