By Helen Thompson

Last updated 13:47, Monday, 25 August 2008

CARLISLE lost their battle against relegation from the North Lancs Premier League on Saturday when they lost by 86 runs against Cockermouth.

Top man: Workington Reserves’ captain Stephen Miller on his way to 64 against Cleator Moor Seconds on Saturday

Marston’s North Lancs and Cumbria Cricket League

At Edenside, the visiting team batted first and opener Greg Platten gave them a solid start with 40 runs.

Then a partnership of 61 between Ryan Carruthers (28) and professional Shamila Gamage (25) ensured Cockermouth closed on 181-7.

Carlisle came to the crease but only professional Usman Saeed troubled the scorers with his 66, nobody else getting into double figures as they fell to 95 all out.

Greg Barnes did most of the damage for Cockermouth with a five wicket haul for the loss of just 31 runs, Gamage chipping in with 3-31.

Carlisle will join Duddon SC in the first division next season.

Cleator won the second versus third clash in the top division, defeating Millom by 131 runs and picked up some points on leaders Workington who had to settle for a rain affected draw at Furness.

Cleator batted first at home and openers, pro Paul Duffett (57) and Graham Clark (30) got them off to a good start.

Stephen Carson remained unbeaten on 37 as his side posted a healthy 184-9.

In reply, Millom lost wickets steadily all afternoon, only two batsmen getting into double figures and they collapsed to 53 all out.

David Rooney was the danger man for Cleator as he collected six victims for just 16 runs and kept the West Cumbrians in second place.

They are now just 21 points behind leaders Workington, who hope to retain their title but a rain affected draw was the only outcome at Furness for them.

Workington had reached 213 in their innings as Kristian Moffat put on 48 and Simon James 37.

But Furness were just 42-1 when the weather intervened and the game had to be called off, with Majid Jahangir unbeaten on 31.

Keswick and Whitehaven also played out a rain affected draw. Keswick batted first on their own track and posted 142-9.

Richard Webster top scored with 37 and Glen Weightman added 34, despite the attentions of Saliya Saman, the pro ended up with 6-33.

The game was nearing a result, with Whitehaven on 120-8 when the game had to be called off, Saman again starring with 79.

Imran Khan was Keswick’s top bowler with 6-12 in a great spell.

Penrith picked up nine points at Dalton in a rain-affected draw. Dalton were 167-8 in their opening innings, with Justin Quint hitting 56. Duncan Fraser was Penrith’s top bowler with 3-15.

But the weather cut short Penrith’s reply on just 53-1.

Already relegated Duddon SC were also stopped short against Haverigg, who had earlier posted 267-5, courtesy of a 94 from Stephen Chapman. Duddon were 29-2 when rain interrupted play and a draw was the only conclusion.

In division one, Kirkby got the better of Egremont after John Brocklebank’s 37 had moved the West Cumbrians to 130 all out, Lee Stephens claiming 3-27.

Kirkby got to their target with five wickets to spare, despite Richard Booth trying to halt them with 4-46.

Cleator Seconds came out on top of local rivals Workington Reserves, who were all out for 147, a 64 from Stephen Miller being the highlight of the innings.

David Glover picked up five wickets for Cleator, for 33 runs. They then went on to make 150-8 to win, Steve Wishart hitting 35 as Paul McKeown claimed 3-35.

Wigton won their clash with Keswick Seconds by 158 runs, after setting a total of 185-8 for Keswick to chase.

Bobby Sherlock led the way for Wigton with 67 as Arran Davies collected 5-38 for Keswick.

In reply Keswick’s batting attack just crumpled as Glen Liddle picked up 6-12 and they fell to 27 all out.

Ulverston picked up a winning draw over Lanercost. Ulverston were 213-7 after a century from Gareth Yates (105) as Matthew Brown claimed 4-59.

Lanercost hung on for a share of the spoils at 115-8, Kieran Forster top scoring with 44.

Lindal and Hawcoat Park rounded up the day’s action with another rain affected draw. Lindal had put on 232-5 and Hawcoat Park were 81-6 when the heavens opened.

Seascale completed an easy eight-wicket win at home to Windscale and in doing so took the Division two title for the second year running.

Windscale opted to bat first and struggled to 108 all out in 43.1 overs, Daniel Lee 3-12 and skipper Steve Brown Snr 3-25 doing most of the damage for Seascale.

Windscale’s captain Peter Lancaster (33), Will Winzor (24) and Nigel Holliday (19) were the only batsmen to reach double figures.

With rain threatening Seascale didn’t hang about knocking off the runs, Robin Sparshott hitting an unbeaten 63 and Adam Brown 46 as they took the points on 114-2 in just 12.5 overs.