CUMBRIA's fourth game in this year's ECB Under-14 County Cup saw them suffer a 145-run defeat against big guns Lancashire at Lindal Moor.

Having been made to bat first after losing the toss, the visitors made a solid start with an opening stand of 70 before Bradley Stephens ran out JJ Fielding for 43.

But a second-wicket partnership of 125 between George Bell and Subhaan Mahmood put Lancs on course for a big total, with opener Bell eventually falling for 88 after being caught off the bowling of Adam Wilson by Sam Thompson.

Mahmood eventually fell to Thompson, caught by Matthew Strong, for 72 and Ben Walkden was run out for 20 by Thomas Russell on the final ball of the innings as Lancs closed on 248 for 4 from their 50 overs.

Cumbria lost Owen Thompson for a duck early in their reply, with the opener being run out, and wickets fell at regular intervals.

Wilson made 20 before being caught off the bowling of Alexander Selby, while Scott McGown top-scored for the home side with 27 until he was bowled by Daniel Wilson.

Lancs bowler Thomas Gunshorn proved the chief architect of Cumbria's downfall though, finishing with figures of five for 11 after helping mop up the lower order to bowl the home side out for 103 in 35.4 overs.

Cumbria return to action in Group One of the County Cup next Wednesday when they travel to face Lincolnshire in Alkborough. Their next home game is against Nottinghamshire in Kendal on July 21 at Netherfield.