Midweek Cricket by Helen Thompson

Published at 11:13, Thursday, 23 June 2011

THERE was a record-breaking night at Seascale in the West Allerdale and Copeland Cricket League last week.

Isel made their highest ever score in the league and Seascale’s Bruce Kennish hit only the seventh century in WACCA history – but still finished on the losing side.

Isel amassed a mammoth 210-2, beginning with an opening stand of 95. Anchor Alan Brown batted through for 58 not out but the dominant partner was Steve Balmforth who hit his first 50 for 10 years.

He hit a boundary laced 60 from the 30 balls, to set the tone for the night. Then Matt Eden became the third Isel batsman to 50. He added 87 not out with Brown, again the silent partner.

Isel’s total was the joint fourth highest score in WACCA history.

Isel’s bowlers then failed to take a wicket as Kennish took centre stage hammering a career best 101 retired and sharing an unbroken opening partnership with his captain Jack Stubbings (33 retired) of 132 as Seascale Juniors blasted 168-2.

At one point he had four successive scoring shots for six, and had six in all, together with nine fours.

Workington Juniors were also amongst the runs making 154-6 in their division two clash with Allonby thanks to Callum Sutton retiring on 33 and Matt Gorley on 31.

Dan McDermott made 25 for the opposition and Anthony Andrews was unbeaten on 43 as the visitors reached 122-4.

The other second division match was a much lower scoring affair. Broughton had four run outs in a total of 85, Gary Swanston, with 30 and Gary Graham, 29 not out, had very little support. Will Benson claimed 3-10 for Whitehaven Colts who cruised to 86-4 on the back of Dean Henderson’s 33.

Windscale Club, Seascale defeated WCLS for the second time in two weeks, this time in division one action.

Firstly they piled up 155-9 as the runs flowed from Paul Knott, 30, Daniel Lee, 34, Steve Brown junior, 30 and Adam Brown, 32, who all retired.

The Lawyers never challenged as only John Perkins with 38 made a score of note and they were held to 108-8.

The top of the table clash saw BCMS make an imposing 166-9 at the Valentine Ground versus the Royal George. The major contributors were Steven Miller, 30 retired and Andrew Ireland, 33 retired.

The Royal George made 142-6 mainly due to Graeme Cook’s 34 and a 31 retired from Matty Lowden.

The other division two match was a low scoring affair at Braithwaite. The hosts were held to 98-6 by Cockermouth Academicals with only Phil Knight, 26 and Jason Pyke, 30 retired, impressing with the bat.

It proved far too many for the Accies as they were shot out for 55, Danny Saunderson claiming 3-2, despite the best efforts of Keith Lockwood with 30.

The other match was the XL game where the President’s side made 113 with Gary Stewardson retiring on 30.

John Burns, with 20 retired, was a lone success as the secretary’s team were skittled for 57.

The Downtown Deli Cup semi-finals have paired up Braithwaite with BCMS and Sandwith Roofing with Windscale Club, Seascale.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk