One week after the official end to the local league season, and after several miserable weeks of weather, the Cumbria Junior Cricket League, managed to stage three finals in glorious weather.

UNDER 15 LEAGUE CUP (Played at Penrith)

Appleby 242 (James Nicholson 18, Jordan Crawford 17, Matthew Lowden 3-2-2-3 Andrew Ireland 3-1-5-2) v Workington 274 (Jonny Irving 24, Andrew Ireland 20, Matthew Lowden 15, Liam Dent 3-0-9-2 James Nicholson 3-0-13-2)

Batting first in this pairs-format final, Appleby got off to a solid start with James Nicholson (18 runs) and Sam Hutt putting on 24.

However, from that point, runs became much harder to come by with Jordan Crawford (17) and Bradley Crowsdale (10) the only two batsmen to reach double figures as Workington took a total of eight wickets.

Stand out bowlers were eventual man of the match Matthew Lowden who took three wickets for just two runs and Andrew Ireland (2 for 5)

In reply Workington (pictured above) had reached 235 after eight overs with Lowden (15) and Ireland (20) featuring with the bat.

Liam Dent (2-9) then struck with two wickets in an over as Workington were pegged back.

The final pair Jonny Irving and Ryan Clubley went to the crease with the game in the balance on 241 but four 4's from Irving (24) made the game safe.

UNDER 13 LEAGUE PLAY OFF (Played at Keswick)

Penrith Gold 105-5 (Greg Hall 30ret, Richard Sykes 23, Zak Jones 2-16, Lewis Hull 2-19) v Workington 69ao (Josh Steele 12, Liam Armstrong 16, Richard Sykes 4-1-10-4, Ben Dixon 4-1-14-3, Greg Hall 3.5-0-21-2)

On a lovely September morning, Penrith won the toss and elected to bat on a slightly damp wicket. The innings was built around a fine partnership from Greg Hall (30 retired) and Richard Sykes, who after a slow start reached a very respectable 23.

Workington’s bowling attack was unable to put Penrith under any sustained pressure, with Oliver Wilson (4 overs for 6 runs) being the only bowler to really contain the batsmen.

In reply Workington set about chasing a good score in positive fashion but no batsmen was really allowed to settle, Josh Steele (12) and Liam Armstrong (16) top scoring.

Penrith’s bowlers consistently put the ball on the spot and used the slower delivery well - three wickets falling to catches induced by a slower ball.

In all, Penrith (pictured right) took seven catches with Tom Grisedale taking two including an outstanding diving catch.

Richard Sykes rounded off a good game with 4 for 10 and was ably supported by Ben Dixon (3 for 14) and Greg Hall (2 for 21) as Penrith closed out the Workington reply in 16 overs.

UNDER 11 LEAGUE PLAYOFF (Played at Caldbeck and Keswick)

Carlisle Green 258 v Keswick 225

Carlisle Green 229 (Ben Davidson 13, Connor McKinley 10) v Cockermouth
251 (J Beck 10, J Lake 15)

Cockermouth 248 (Daniel Fisher 14, M Blackley 9) v Keswick 260 (Megan
Saxton 6, Charlie Robson 9)

Carlisle, Cockermouth and Keswick, having won their respective regional leagues, contested a three-way final at Caldbeck in late August to determine the overall league winner.

Poor weather at the end of August meant that conditions were pretty damp underfoot when Carlisle took on Keswick and ran-out out comfortable winners.

Carlisle then faced Cockermouth but, with just four overs to go, and Cockermouth looking strong favourites, the intermittent showers that had intervened throughout turned much heavier leaving the outfield too wet to allow the game to be safely completed.

Two weeks later, and after further un-seasonal weather, the remainder of the final was completed at Keswick on a glorious late summers day.

Cockermouth and Carlisle replayed the second match with the team from Sandair securing the victory that had looked likely at Caldbeck.

That left Cockermouth needing to beat Keswick in the final game to secure outright victory. However, Keswick had other ideas and put on a handy score of 260.

Cockermouth chipped away at the total with Daniel Fisher top scoring with 14. However, Keswick, who had narrowly lost to Cockermouth in the League Cup the previous week, stuck to their task admirably and gained a well deserved 12 run victory that left all three teams having won one game each.

In such a circumstance total runs scored determines the winner and Cockermouth (499 in their two games) narrowly took the title from Carlisle (487) and Keswick (485), the fine margin reflecting just how evenly matched these three teams were in what was a very competitive Under 11 League.

That's the winning Cockermouth team pictured alongside.

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