Last updated at 13:37, Thursday, 09 August 2012

THE Edenside pitch proved difficult for run-making, with both Carlisle and Cockermouth struggling to get a decent total on the board in the Premier Division.

Cockermouth had first use of the conditions, but their batting line-up found runs hard to come by. They were dismissed for 119, professional Amila Weththasinghe top-scoring with 31.

For Carlisle, Alex Raybould took 6 for 43 and Ben Purdham 3 for 21. Carlisle were soon in deep trouble and with Weththasinghe taking 6 for 13 and Chris Hodgson 4 for 33, the home team were all out for 58.

Furness, determined to defend their League title were at Cleator, and in a game badly interrupted by rain saw the home side bat first, and with Chris Quin again in good nick making 80 not out, Cleator went into tea after 44 overs with 155 for 7 on the board.

Furness, with more overs lost to rain, went to an excellent win, making 157 for 2 after only 19.2 overs, Tom Smith hitting 67 not out.

Workington batted first at Haverigg, and were all out in the 50th over for 165. Kris Moffat, 51, Matt Gorley, 36,and Callum Moffat, 25, were the main contributors.

Craig Armstrong, 3 for 25, and Jordan Postlethwaite, 3 for 32, bowled well for the Poolsiders.

Haverigg’s top order all got a start but didn’t go on to get a big score, and they were in trouble with five wickets down and still a long way to go. The Postlethwaite brothers, Jordan with 55 not out and Drew with 15, saw Haverigg hang on for the draw at 153 for 8.

Simon James’ off-spin earned him 4 for 34 from his 15 overs.

At Whitehaven, the home side had first knock against Kirkby and, with repeated rain breaks, were 184 for 8 after 41 overs, Dave Watson making 46, New Zealander Jono Bennett 27 and Dominic Chambers 43 (from 18 balls) were top scorers.

With only 29 overs to bat Kirkby made 93 for 8, Anwhar making 35 not out.

Whitehaven’s outstanding 15-year-old Jack McNicholas took 5 for 24, supported well by Lee Norman with 2-11.

At Penrith, Millom batting first were 160 all out, Graham Dawson 51 not out and Mikey Wilson 44, were top scorers. For Penrith, Asher Hart took 4 for 23. With Penrith on 1 for 1, rain prevented further play.

Keswick, at home to Lindal Moor, were 51 for 2, when rain stopped play. Andy Rigg made 37.

In Division One, Dalton went in first in their home game against Seascale, and with 55 from Marc Gibson, were 177 for 9 at tea. Seascale’s Steve Brown jnr. took 4 for 37.

In reply Seascale went to a good win at 180 for 6, Robin Sparshott on 46 not out.

Lanercost recorded a surprising win at Hawcoat Park, thanks to their lower order, with 160 for 8, Robley ending on 43 not out.

Steve Hannaway, 3 for 40, and Callum Muncaster, 3 for 42, taking the wickets.

Ulverston at home to Appleby Eden had a bad day, as they crumbled to 32 all out. Appleby went to the win at 33 for 1.

At Egremont, the home side made 159 for 9 in their 50 overs against Penrith, Shaun Bostock making 54 and John Dixon 42. Liam Trevaskis took 3 for 43.

Twelve overs were lost to rain and Penrith after their 38 overs were 136 for 8, Matthew Clark making 51 and Egremont’s Richard Booth taking 3 for 39.

Workington II were 16 for 1 against Vickerstown when rain ended proceedings. The Wigton v Cleator II game did not start due to rain.

In Division Two, Whitehaven’s promotion-chasing second string came away from top-of-the-table rivals Furness with a sensational victory.

After being asked to bat, Haven reached 151-8 with contributions from Dean Henderson 30, Robbie Fisher 29, skipper Nathan Lee 28 and Jamie Bell 25. Usual first teamer Dave Buchanan claimed 6-33 for the hosts.

Haven’s score looked well below par as Furness raced to 124-3 but then Steve Rumney with 3-50 and Callum Lofthouse 4-42 put a stranglehold on the home side as they reached 147 with one wicket left.

It was then that Stuart Whitelock came to the fore, fashioning a superb run-out to give the Playgrounders a four-run victory.

This leaves Haven at the top of the league, alongside Cockermouth, as both look set for promotion. However, in the league rules, the runner-up may not be able to go up if a team with a reserve side in the second division are relegated, as two sides from on club cannot play in the same division.

In the Cumbria League, Whitehaven entertained title-chasing rivals Egremont, and included 10 players that recently progressed through the junior ranks.

They were well-captained by Alan Parker, another developed through Haven’s youth system – albeit 50 years ago!

Egremont always struggled against the home attack, as Shannon Rumney claimed 3-24 from her seven overs. Callum Lofthouse ended with 2-27 and 13-year-old debutant Luke Blaney made an immediate first impression, taking 2-6. Ben Gilmour top-scored for the visitors with 32.

Another high for Haven was the impressive standard of their fielding, with several, namely Dean Henderson, Matthew Taylor and Blaney, taking excellent catches.

Egremont closed on 94 all out. In reply, Haven were coasting to victory on 66 for none, with Henderson 37 and Robbie Fisher 18. However, the wheels came off when the visitors turned to spin as Gilmour 5-30 and James Bostock 3-20 threatened to pull off an unlikely victory.

It was left to Parker and young Blaney to hit the winning runs as Haven won with two wickets to spare.

The Higson Cup final was called off on Sunday. Contestants Cockermouth and Keswick will try again this Sunday, again at Penrith.

Fixtures for Saturday, August 11

Premier Division: Cockermouth v Penrith; Furness v Haverigg; Kirkby v Carlisle; Lindal Moor v Whitehaven; Millom v Cleator; Workington v Keswick

Division One: Appleby Eden v Hawcoat Park; Cleator II V Egremont; Lanercost v Dalton; Penrith II v Ulverston; Seascale v Workington II; Vickerstown v Wigton

Division Two: Dalton II V Cockermouth II; Haverigg II v Millom II; Hawcoat Park II v Furness II; Ulverston II v Vickerstown II; Windscale v Lindal Moor II

First published at 11:10, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk