FATHER and son were on opposing sides in the Cumbria League clash between British Steel and Workington thirds.

It was a direct challenge, too, as team-mates could compare their various merits behind the stumps as both Damien and Liam Hazzard are wicket-keepers.

In the end Liam was the one smiling as he played for the Workington side which beat his dad’s Steels team by 107 runs.

Weather conditions were glorious at Southfield where Workington batted first and set a formidable total of 211-6 with openers Tom McGeen and Dave Chisnall putting on 100 for the first wicket.

The introduction of Jake Daniels into the Steels attack provided the breakthrough as he took two vital wickets, including that of McGeen for 55, in a spell of four overs for just eight runs.

Then a flurry of runs from big hitting Paul Ferguson (39) and Darren Wood (18no) took the visitors’ score well past 200.

Chisnall made 45 and Daniels finished his spell with 2-14.

The Steelworks reply got off to the worst possible start with captain Neil Carruthers falling to a stunning slip catch by Ferguson.

Fellow opener Barry Warbrick (17) was supported by youngsters Liam Ryan (18) and Jonny Irving (17) in building a reply, but the introduction of Ben Kyte (4-15) and Alex McGeen (2-9) prevented any significant partnerships from developing. The home side were eventually bowled-out for 104.

A high scoring game at Gosforth saw the home side run out victorious by 19 runs against Egremont seconds despite Luke O'Conner's 79 - the highest individual score in the match. Earlier, Gosforth had posted a formidable total of 223 with solid batting throughout, as there were valuable contributions from Mark Gregg (48), Robert Temple (40no), Stuart Dickinson (38) and Neil Gribbin (33).

Alan Parker (3-38) and James Murphy (2-21) did best with the ball for Egremont.

Murphy (31) and Mark Finlinson (27no) supported O’Connor well but they were eventually bowled-out for 204.

Temple (3-32), Jack Barwise (3-36) and Jack Graham (3-43) shared the bowling honours for Gosforth.

Fixtures (all Sunday) – Workington thirds v Gosforth; Whitehaven thirds v British Steel; Cleator thirds v Egremont seconds.

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