Junior teams from Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland were scheduled to take part in a series of District matches over the half term holiday week.

Whilst the weather did its best to disrupt proceedings, several matches were completed.

They provided an opportunity for those taking part to underline the depth of talent that exists within Cumbrian Junior Cricket.

At Egremont on Tuesday Carlisle District Under 12's beat Copeland Under-12's by 55 runs in a game reduced to 30 overs a side.

Batting first Carlisle posted 145 for 8 with Hamzar Dhalech top-scoring with 26, helped by James Robson (17) and Tom Percival (13) who made useful contributions. Luke Close took two wickets for Copeland.

In reply Copeland reached 90 for the loss of five wickets with Dean Henderson unbeaten on 27.

Wednesday’s games between Copeland Under-12’s and Allerdale Under-12’s and Thursday’s Under-14’s encounter between the same two districts both fell foul to the weather. It is hoped that these matches can still be played at a later stage in the season.

On Friday at Edenside, Carlisle Under-12's (below) entertained Allerdale (pictured above), with the home team batting first and reaching 129 before they were bowled-out in 33 overs.

Captain Abhey Nair top-scored with a fine innings of 44. He was ably supported by Hamzar Dhalech in a partnership of over 40 for the third wicket

It took a superb yorker from Connor Mulholland to remove Nair when he was looking set to reach a deserved 50.

Lower order runs from Tom Percival (18) and James Crabtree (8) took the score well beyond 100.

Allerdale’s bowlers shared the wickets with Jim Creighton taking three and Luke Williams two.

Allerdales response got off to the very best start with a solid opening partnership of 36 from Jim Creighton and Dom Saunderson, before the latter fell leg before to the excellent Dhalech.

Creighton, who was captaining the Allerdale side, continued to thrive and batted through the innings to score 67 not out including no fewer than 11 fours.

He and Jack Spiers (12) put on over 30 for the third wicket to get the side within striking distance and it was Creighton, with a four through mid wicket, who fittingly scored the winning runs.

On Friday Allerdale Under-14’s played Copeland Under-14’s at Cockermouth and the hosts were put into bat and made 234-5. An opening partnership of 54 from Liam Ryan and Saatvik Shetty got them off to a great start.

A score of 71-2 after 17 overs represented a good platform for James Benson (50) and Josh Dixon (57) to put together a 99 run partnership and also register their first ever half centuries.

The middle order kept up the good scoring rate with Jonny Irving scoring a brisk 30 and Mikey Hill 12 not out.

Copeland kept up with the required rate until the tenth over, reaching 50 without loss but were then pegged back with the introduction of leg spinner Mikey Hill who bowled an excellent spell of 10-2-19-2.

Wickets began to fall as the required rate increased and by the 18th over Copeland were 71-5 with Aaron Mansergh taking 3-36 and Elliot Armstrong 1-22.

The key wicket of opener Saunders to a sharp slip catch by Benson sealed the game.

Ross Leeson provided some resistance with an excellent 45 but wickets for Irving, Whinn, Rush and Edmondson finally ended the innings at 142 in the 34th over.

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