It will be safety first for Norfolk today after they lost a clutch of late wickets against Cumberland at Furness yesterday. The visitors slumped from 98 without loss to 137 for four at the close, after Cumberland had built a first innings lead of 12 runs.

It will be safety first for Norfolk today after they lost a clutch of late wickets against Cumberland at Furness yesterday.

The visitors slumped from 98 without loss to 137 for four at the close, after Cumberland had built a first innings lead of 12 runs.

Norfolk skipper Carl Rogers, pictured, who is 55no, said batting through the morning session would be the main objective today: 'It's very difficult because if we lose a couple of quick wickets we could be under a lot of pressure,' he said.

'It's very hard to start thinking about a target for a declaration because the outfield is quick and you can score quite quickly.

'But the wicket is starting to turn a bit and it's offering a bit more help to the bowlers than on the first day. There was more and more spin in the last session and with our attack that could favour us. At the moment we just want to bat until lunch and then see where we are. Unfortunately we're not really in a position where we can take the game to them.'

Resuming on 81 for one, Cumberland lost an early wicket yesterday when Jonathan Miles was bowled by George Walker.

It was to be a rare highlight for Swardeston left-arm spinner Walker, however, as his 29 overs cost 136 runs, with James Smith (92) and M Brown (71) putting Cumberland on top after Norfolk had enjoyed a positive morning session.

Norfolk's own Jonathan Miles returned to the attack to claim four wickets as the hosts finished on 394 for eight from their 90 overs.

Rogers and first innings centurion James Spelman soon wiped out the deficit and put on 98 as Norfolk looked to be building a strong position for a final day assault.

But after Spelman was trapped lbw, Sam Arthurton soon followed without scoring. Trevor Ward and Rogers added 32 for the third wicket, but Ward was bowled for 21 and when Harry Bush fell in the last over, debutant Peter Lambert - on a pair - had to bat out the final four deliveries of the day.

He managed that successfully and Norfolk closed with a lead of 125 going into the final day.

SCOREBOARD

Cumberland v Norfolk, Furness, Day Two

Overnight: Norfolk 1st innings 382-6 (90 overs, JM Spelman 115, SS Arthurton 86, H Bush 75no); Cumberland 1st innings 81-1 (31 overs, J Miles 40no, I Ullah 19no).

t Cumberland 1st innings (cont)

J Miles b Walker 45

I Ullah b Brown 60

G Pratt b Eccles 33

M Brown c&b Miles 71

J Smith c Eccles b Miles 92

C Thompson c Blake b Miles 14

M Evans b Miles 3

G Dawson not out 35

M Bear not out 0

Extras 23

Total (90 overs, 8 wkts) 394

Bowling: J Miles 23-4-98-4, M Eccles 20-5-88-1, G Walker 29-4-136-1, C Brown 17-3-54-2, C Rogers 1-0-3-0.

t Norfolk 2nd innings

JM Spelman lbw Thompson 43

C Rogers not out55

SS Arthurton c Smith b Thompson 0

TR Ward b Thompson 21

H Bush c&b Miller 1

P Lambert not out 0

Extras 17

Total (50 overs, 4 wkts) 137

Bowling: G Dawson 3-0-27-0, C Thompson 15-5-33-3, M Evans 12-1-29-0, J Smith 18-3-39-0, C Miller 2-1-3-1.