CUMBERLAND's Unicorns KO Trophy hopes suffered a big blow when they fell 13 runs short of victory in an exciting chase against Cambridgeshire.

Chasing 261 for victory in the 50 overs-a-side clash at Leys School Gary Pratt's side ended up on 247 for 8, with the skipper excelling at the crease.

Will Hale also batted well, making 58, and fellow opener Ross Zelem scored 23 as the county made a bright start in response to Cambridgeshire's total of 260 for nine.

And with Pratt in good nick it looked like Cumberland might pull off a fine win, the former Durham batsman making 86 from just 70 balls, before being run out.

Earlier Adam Syddall was the pick of the Cumberland bowling attack, taking 3 for 57, and spinner Toby Bulcock produced a tidy spell of 2 for 43 in ten overs. But with Michael Pepper top scoring with 65 and Nesan Jeyaratnam hitting 57, the home side racked up a strong total which proved just enough to keep Cumberland at bay. Cumberland gave debuts two of the North Lancs and Cumbria league's brightest prospects, Nathan Waterston of Furness, and Workington's Andy Ireland.