Northumberland beat Lincolnshire by five wickets

Lincolnshire's interest in the Minor Counties Cricket Association Knock Out competition ended in the first round as rain delayed the start of their game against Northumberland.

No play was possible at the Jesmond ground until 3pm, reducing the match to 30 overs a side.

Having won the toss, Northumberland put Lincs in to bat, a decision which seemed to suit the visiting side who, after 10 overs, had 49 on the board with just one wicket down - that of James Clark, caught off Steve Humble.

This brought Matthew Dowman out to join Mark Fell at the crease to take the score to 60, but when the number three was bowled by Humble for 10, Lincs suffered a minor collapse, losing two more wickets cheaply. After 15 overs, the total had reached 70 for four, Fell hitting 37 before being out lbw to John Windows.

Paul Pollard and Oliver Burford pushed the score along steadily, Burford making 32 before being trapped lbw by Steve Chapman.

And Bob Chapman's contribution of 21, an unbeaten 10 from David Pipes and a late knock of 17 from Jon Davies at number 11 helped Lincs to 159 for nine at the close.

For Northumberland, Lee Crozier took three wickets for an expensive 51 off his six overs and Humble claiming two for 22 while David Rutherford bowled an economical six overs to finish with one for 15.

Davies then got Lincs off to a flying start, taking the first wicket on five - Chapman caught by Dowman - and the second with only 16 runs on the board. By the 10th over, Northumberland had fallen behind the run rate, having made only 37 for three, the third wicket also falling to Davies. And with 51 scored, a sharp throw from James Clarke saw Chris Hewison run out for 14.

But John Graham and Windows steadied the innings and by the 20th over, the home side were ahead of the Lincs' rate on 100 for four, Graham having been dropped on 14.

Windows finally fell to David Pipes, having contributed 18 to the fifth wicket partnership of 64 but Lincs could not unseat Graham or his new partner Humble and Graham went on to make an unbeaten 60 as Northumberland sealed a five wicket win with seven balls to spare.

Davies finished with an economical three for 16 off six overs and Humble was unbeaten on 20 as his side earned a second round tie against Cheshire at Cheadle Hulme.