Cricket: North Lancashire & Cumbria League

Last updated 12:32, Thursday, 01 May 2008

WHILE the rest of the country basked in balmy conditions, Cumbria was soaked by persistent rain on Saturday.

As a result, almost the entire league programme was wiped out without a ball being bowled.

But there were five matches which did get started – and one in particular which almost defied the odds and got a result.

Furness had been restricted to 137-7 by Cleator in their allotted overs and when the rain finally drove the players off the field the West Cumbrians were in sight of victory.

Professional Paul Duffett (58) and Graham Clark (37), the Cleator openers were still together as they had taken the score to 98-0 but their efforts proved in vain.

Stuart Horne had top-scored for Furness with 39 not out.

Play was possible in only one other Premier Division game in which Duddon Sports Club entertained Penrith. The South Cumbrians had limped to 59-4 with Kriss McLean taking 2-21 for Penrith.

All the other games in the top flight were abandoned without a ball being bowled – Cockermouth v Millom; Keswick v Carlisle; Whitehaven v Dalton; Workington v Haverigg.

In Division One, there was no play between Cleator seconds and Vickerstown; Egremont and Wigton; Lanercost and Appleby Eden.

They made a brief start at Kirkby where Workington Seconds had reached 17-1 before the rain caused an early finish.

At Lindal Moor, visitors Keswick seconds were 36-4 when the match was abandoned. Colin Knight took 3-9 for Lindal.

At Ulverston, visitors Hawcoat Park were 66-2 when the match was abandoned.

Division Two, some cricket was played at Haverigg where Seascale were first to bat at got to 152-7 in 45 overs before they declared.

Dave Stubbings (45), Robin Sparshott (31), Lee Fleet (29) and Adam Brown (17) all made useful contributions for Seascale.

Haverigg were 0-0 in three overs when the game was abandoned due to rain.

In Division Two, Whitehaven Sconds travelled to Dalton Seconds with three 14-year-olds making their debut in the side, Robbie Fisher, Jamie Bell and Cameron Connor.

Dalton won the toss and elected to bat and had reached 131-6 when the game was abandoned, Dean Sharp being 53 not out. Whitehaven wicket takers were Phil McCormick 3-30 and Neil Harrison 2-4, the other wicket being a scintillating run out by newcomer Shakeer.

Teenager Nathan Lee, keeping wicket for the first time in his fledgling career, showed real promise as did another youngster Arran Sullivan who bowled and fielded extremely well.

Division One – Appleby Eden v Egremont, BAE (Barrow) SC v Workington II, Keswick II v Cleator II, Kirkby v Lindal Moor, Vickerstown v Lanercost, Wigton v Ulverston.

Premier Division – Carlisle v Haverigg, Cleator v Keswick, Dalton v Furness, Millom v Duddon SC, Penrith v Whitehaven, Workington v Cockermouth.