Last updated 11:49, Thursday, 21 August 2008

AFTER a couple of weeks of forced inactivity at least some teams managed to find their way onto a cricket field, with all the matches in the Premiership completed for the first time this month.

Penrith II gained their customary five points at Edenhall as Mark Osborne (77) and Mark Challenor (88no) set a daunting target.

The home side must have given them some anxious moments as Jamie Armstrong (80) led the charge, they finishing just ten runs adrift.

Second place Caldbeck still retain a passing interest following an surprisingly easy seven wicket victory over third place Scotby, with their spare game due to be played this Thursday evening. At the other end of the table Staffield gained ample revenge over Nunwick with a nine wicket victory of the back of Nicky Lane's best bowling performance of a number of seasons.

Appleby II also improved their position with a four wicket win over bottom placed Stainton.

Given the weather conditions it is not surprising that ball held sway over bat, but Braithwaite's eight-wicket win at Carlisle II bucked that trend with both teams scoring over 200 for the loss of only six wickets in the whole match, with Mark Oswald (89no) seeing his side home. In Division One both Cockermouth and Kirkby Stephen won, improving their chances of promotion at the expense of Carleton, whose inactivity may cost them dear - they have yet to play this month.

Shap's position in the lower reaches of the division improved considerably with two wins over the weekend.

In contrast Threlkeld may have wished that the rain continued after two comprehensive defeats in Division Two.

On Saturday having restricted Wetheral to under three figures in 40 overs, with young Ben Sharp returning impressive figures with his leg spin, they failed miserably with the bat.

Malcolm Bamber bowled seven overs, conceding just one run and taking four wickets in the process.

The following day, Threlkeld's batting improved considerably, but the bowling didn't, losing by ten wickets at Appleby III and thus cementing their anchor role.

Temple Sowerby returned to the field with a comprehensive win over Great Corby and remain favourites to gain promotion in this division.

Lowther moving smoothly into second place courtesy of a six wicket win in a low scoring game at home to Patterdale, where Andrew Little (6-4-6-5) proved that leg spin bowling can be compared with fine wine, it improves with age.

The top two teams in Division Three, equal on points, met at Penrith where the Academy beat Rockcliffe comfortably.

Despite posting a only a modest score it proved enough as none of the away side managed to reach double figures.

Lanercost II's win at Irthing Vale means that they retain an interest at the top of the division, especially as they will be playing host to the other two in the next fortnight.

The League Cup final due to be played on Sunday also failed to materialise for the second time, so, due to fixture congestion, will now be played at the end of the season - weather permitting of course.