Norfolk edge thriller

Northumberland played their third round-robin MCCA Trophy fixture against Norfolk last weekend, with a place in the quarter-finals beckoning for both sides.

The picturesque ground of Longhirst Hall in Morpeth played host to the game, with Norfolk captain Carl Rogers winning the toss and electing to bat

Northumberland captain and wicketkeeper Phil Nicholson reported injured on the morning of the match, but Richard Coughtrie took over behind the stumps, making his debut for the side.

David Rutherford opened the bowling for Northumberland and removed Rogers with the first ball of the match leaving Norfolk debutant Darren Robinson - formerly of Leicestershire and Essex - to forge a recovery partnership with James Spelman.

Former county batsman Darren Robinson made his debut for Norfolk in the MCCA match

Robinson went on to make 64 before being stumped by Coughtrie. Meanwhile Norfolk wicketkeeper, Stephen Gray was accumulating runs at the other end before being out for 76.

Norfolk were eventually dismissed for 227 in 48.4 overs.

Northumberland’s Rutherford continued to bowl accurately to finish with 5-38 from 9.4 overs.

Allan Worthy and Simon Birtwisle opened the Northumberland innings, but got off to an inauspicious start when Worthy was out first ball - caught by Spelman off Eccles.

Birtwisle fell to Thomas for seven with the score on 12 before Mark Dale and Bradley Parker steadied the ship with a partnership of 68.

Following the dismissal of Dale for 32 and Parker for 41, Mark Drake took over the role of run-maker until he was out for 75.

After teenager Mark Wood was run out with two balls to go, the East Anglian side wrapped up a hard-earned victory.

Northumberland now face the long trek trek to Long Marston for their final match against Hertfordshire on the June 1.