The gulf between Divisions One and Two was clear to see in the first round of matches in the Downtown Deli Cup as the West Allerdale and Copeland Cricket Association season gained momentum.

Not only did all six teams from the top flight win the matches, but the majority of the victories were clear cut.

In the North side of the draw defending champions Braithwaite held Isel to 70-5 and then they cruised to 72-1 as Andy Rigby (25 no) and Jason Pyke (32 ret) combined impressively.

Last season’s beaten finalists Sandwith Roofing were even more destructive as after posting 163-6 with three retirements - Phil Armstrong (33), Kristian Moffat (33) and Jake Daniel (30) plus 21 not out from Kieron Doyle- their bowlers Damien Hazzard (3-4), Russ Herring (3-8) and Steve McMullen (2-4) routed Baggrow 2 for a mere 47.

Newly promoted Cockermouth Academicals made short work of Allonby. First they dismissed the Seasiders for 95 with four bowlers claiming two wickets each - Graham Sparke and  James Simmonds both 2-7, Keith Lockwood 2-10 and Luke Neesham 2-17. Adam Johnson made 33 retired for Allonby.

Then in a mere 11.2 overs, without a batsman dismissed, they reached 97-2 as Hugh Carter remained unbeaten on 26 as at the other end first Sparke 30 and then Ryan Carruthers 31 both retired.

The other game in the section was an all Division Two contest and was closer. Broughton were held to 99-6 with Dave Smith 26 retired, Gary Swanston 25 and Jason Alexander 24 providing most of the runs. Tom Shepherd 3-2 and Neil Bewley 2-19 accounted for the dismissed batsmen.

Maryport, lead by Graeme Nicholson (27 ret), Graham Nicholson (26 ret) and Gary Bowness (28 ret) saw Maryport comfortably home.

In the South Side Royal George bounced back from the Sandwith Roofing Cup exit by dismissing Distington for 59. Charlie Gallacher (28) played a lone hand as Ian Studholme (2-2) and Phillip Davidson (2-6) returned the best analysis.

Neil Carruthers, with 27 not out, led his side to 61-2 and an eight wicket victory.

BCMS were equally as impressive, holding Workington Juniors to 90-5 as only Josh Burns 30 made a retirement score, then reaching 92-5 with Andrew Ireland making 35 retired and Graham Brown (22) taking them most of the way home. Matt Gorley, with 2-1, only delayed the inevitable.

The closest contest saw WCLS make 134-6 against Windscale Club, Seascale as the openers Rob Allen (25) and Nick Bulman (29) began well. Then Lewis Stainton (31 ret) and Gary Quinn (29 no) pushed the score over 100.

Pete Rooney (2-14) and Steve Brown snr (2-24) were the pick of the visitors bowlers.

The Seascale team’s batting strength saw them home by three wickets as only Phil Jennings (2-15) claimed more than one scalp.

Their  135-7 was built around four innings - Robin Sparshott (20), Greg Bedford (33 ret), Rooney (20) and Mark Farries (31 ret).

Seascale Juniors also began with a win as they posted 129-7 with Jack Graham (33 ret) and the Lee brothers Clayton (29) and Daniel (31 ret with Callum Lofthouse picking up 3-2 as the other bowlers went the distance.

Whitehaven Colts were all out for 115 as Jake Saunders struck early (2-17). Mike Bean (33 ret), Lofthouse (25) and Andy Woodyard (23no) challenged before Phil Robinson (3-4) and Clayton Lee (2-1) snuffed it out.

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