Cumbria County Cricket club kept their National Counties One Day Trophy hopes alive after a tense draw against Oxfordshire.

A dramatic last ball run-out from Cumbria's Sam Dutton saw both sides end on 255 - leaving his county top of their group with just one game to play.

It was always going to be a tough assignment for Cumbria as they travelled to Banbury CC to face an Oxfordshire team who currently hold the other two NCCA trophies - having won the three-day final in September 2021 and the T20 trophy last month.

The hosts won the toss and elected to field, with Cumbria's opening partnership of Sam Dutton (Furness CC) and Gary Pratt (Richmondshire CC) amassing 43 runs in seven overs before Dutton was holed out to cover.

Pratt, however, went on to form a strong partnership with Matthew Sempill of Cockermouth CC which helped move the score on - with Sempill striking a couple of boundaries before a leading edge was caught and bowled, leaving Cumbria on 168 for four after 37 overs.

Paul Hindmarch (Keswick CC) and Finlay Richardson (Netherfield CC) supported Pratt for a couple of overs each, with Pratt reaching an invaluable 112 before being caught in the 47th over.

James McGown (Keswick CC) joined Penrithian Brodie Glendinning (Newcastle CC) finished at the crease for the Cumbrians, with Glendinning hitting a trio of sixes to ensure Cumbria finished on a promising 255/8.

And Glendinning proved crucial with the ball too, taking Oxfordshire's first wicket his very first ball in the eighth over.

He then bowled two Oxfordians with the second ball of his second over and the first ball of his third.

Hindmarch bowled Oxfordshire’s anchoring opener in the 24th over - before he and the spin trio of Watt, Siddall (Cockermouth CC) & Sempill then limited the hosts to 154 for four in 38 overs when McGown took a catch off Watt.

Three overs later, Sempill caught a skied ball to give Glendinning his fourth wicket. Watt then bowled his second victim - before the clouds played their part leading to two missed catches.

With his last ball of the match, visiting captain Slack bowled the host Ccptain Cater, who had reached a heady score of 104.

Slack then took a catch off Glenndinning, leaving the hosts needing eight runs from five balls to claim victory.

On the last ball, a dramatic run out from Dutton prevented the second run which would have secured victory for the hosts - meaning the spoils were shared.

With five points from their three matches to date, Cumbria currently top the NCCA Trophy Group 1 table, ahead of Northumberland CCC (4 from 2) and Oxfordshire (3 from 2).

Cumbria’s final group match is against Northumberland, whom they lost to in their three-day match last season. However, Cumbria beat them in the T20 competition several weeks ago. 

The game will take place at Keswick Cricket Club on Sunday 26th June with an 11am start.