WHALLEY'S David Pearson and Paul Beech of Barnoldswick could not prevent Cumberland slumping to an eight-wicket defeat to Bedfordshire in the final of the ECB 38 County Cup final at Lord's yesterday.

Pearson, the former East Lancashire batsman, helped get Cumberland off to a solid start, as he made 31 and put on 81 for the first wicket with former Durham opener John Glendenen.

But Cumberland then crashed to 153 all out as Bedfordshire skipper Richard Dalton took 5-21 in 10 overs to land his county their first silverware for 27 years.

Marcus Sharp, who comes from Clitheroe, gave Cumberland early hope when he bowled former England opener Wayne Larkins for six.

But an unbroken third wicket-stand of 128 between Andy Roberts (80 not out) and David Mercer (51 not out) swept Bedfordshire home as neither Beech or the remainder of the Cumberland attack were able to defend the lowest total in 11 Lord's finals in the competition.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.