Date-stamped : 02 Jun97 - 14:17 Curran so clever By Neville Scott at Lord`s Northants (198-7) bt Middx (131) by 67 runs WITH both attacks so straight on a slow pitch of occasional low bounce that 12 of the first 14 men to fall were bowled or lbw - a heroic effort in a howling gale - Kevin Curran`s clev- erly-improvised 66 from 68 balls proved decisive. Prepared to advance on seamers and spinners alike to counter the pitch, Curran was crucially supported by Tony Penberthy, the momentum lost after their 92-run second-wicket stand. Needing 199, Middlesex saw their top four go in 22 balls by the eighth over. At which point, aptly, one particularly severe gust of wind brought down part of the press box ceiling, debris blocking the bar door. Contrary to myth, the entire corps was not thereby trapped within. Middlesex, however, proved inextricable and despite a keen 61-ball 55 from Jason Pooley, lbw to Curran, the asking rate mounted. Perishing in pursuit of the impossible, they were bowled out in the 34th over, never realistically in the hunt. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)