Lincolnshire seal title and promotion with draw against Cumbria
Lincolnshire CCC closed out their 2026 NCCA season in fitting style at Cleethorpes CC, emerging with the better of a draw against Cumbria to secure the Eastern Division Two County Championship title.
Despite losing all of day one to heavy rain earlier in the week, Nic Keast’s side controlled the match from the moment the toss was won.
Lincolnshire entered the final fixture knowing that a solid haul of bonus points would be enough to keep Norfolk at bay in the title race.
Keast elected to bowl first in helpful conditions, and his attack delivered emphatically.
Mills and Shepherd run riot:
Cumbria were bundled out for 139, thanks entirely to the outstanding work of Matt Mills and Tom Shepherd, who shared all 10 wickets, Mills 5-42 and Shepherd 5-44
Both bowlers exploited the moisture in the surface, maintaining relentless discipline and ensuring Cumbria never settled.
It was a spell that set the tone for the match and ultimately the season’s conclusion.
Lincolnshire’s reply required grit rather than flair, but it delivered exactly what the league table demanded.
A total of 253 secured a 114-run lead and, crucially, enough bonus points to make the Division Two title mathematically safe.
Key contributions included Sam Jarvis' mature, composed 82, Tom Keast's important 42 on home turf and 36 from Tom Currie on the day he received his county cap
With the title secured, the remainder of the match became a question of whether a result could still be forced in the limited time remaining.
Cumbria’s second innings never threatened to open the game up.
Lincolnshire’s bowlers again proved difficult to get away, restricting scoring opportunities and ensuring that any late push for a fourth innings chase was off the table.
Shepherd impressed once more, returning 2-3 from five overs, underlining his influence across the match.
With Cumbria on 127-4, both captains agreed that no positive result was possible and shook hands on the draw as Lincolnshire collected 10 points and Cumbria eight.
The draw confirmed Lincolnshire as champions of the NCCA Cluberley Division Two East, sealing promotion back to Division One for the 2027 season.
It capped a campaign marked by consistency, resilience, and contributions from across the squad.
Beyond championship success, Lincolnshire reached the quarter-finals of the T20 competition and narrowly missed out on progressing in the One Day Trophy.
With emerging talent stepping up and senior players delivering when it mattered, Keast’s side head into the off-season with genuine optimism for the future.