REIGNING North Lancashire League Premier Division champions Workington started the defence of their title with a disappointing defeat at Millom in the opening game on April 19.

New Millom professional Nathan Murray did the early damage with 4-25 from his first spell of ten overs.

Workington, who had been put in to bat, were reduced to 46-5 and in deep trouble as Simon Bickerstaffe also claimed the wicket of stand-in pro Karl Turner.

Turner, a member of the Durham Academy, was filling-in for Kiwi Simon Beare who has not yet sorted-out his visa and may even miss next week’s home match with Haverigg.

The 20-year-old opening batsman made 26 before being given out lbw and with half the side back in the pavilion for less than 50 Workington were in big trouble.

They were rescued by new skipper Steve Benson and the experienced all-rounder Simon James who together put on 64 for the sixth wicket.

Benson’s contribution was only 13 but he was one of only three Workington players to reach double figures.

James went on to make 58 before being out in the penultimate over and Workington were finally bowled out in the last over for 145. South African Murray finished with 4-34 and Ian Swarbrick had 3-39.

Workington quickly got rid of the dangerous Stuart Swallow without scoring and when Murray was dismissed by Martyn Turner for 13, Millom were 48-3 and the game was nicely poised.

But opener Dominic Connor went on to carry his bat for an unbeaten 77, putting on 89 for the fourth wicket with Barney Arnold (32). Although Arnold was dismissed with victory in sight Millom duly strolled home at 146-4 in the 42nd over.

Adam Walker was Workington’s most successful bowler with 2-26.

Millom were one of four teams in the top flight to start with a win and Workington’s next opponents, Haverigg, were another.

The south Cumbrians would not have been too confident at home to Keswick after being dismissed for 133 as they were undone by Keswick’s professional Dinuk Hettiarachchi who finished with 7-34.

But Keswick batted poorly and would have been completely written-off but for an unbeaten 67 from Imran Khan. They were bowled-out for a disappointing 97.

The west Cumbrian derby was a tight affair which went right down to the wire.

Whitehaven were bowled out for 112 and the game could have gone virtually all ways, including a tie before Cleator scrambled home at 116-9.

It was almost as tight at Edenside where Carlisle lost to Furness by two wickets.

Carlisle were bowled-out for 132 as Peter Lawson took 4-27 for the south Cumbrians.

Les Readitt took 5-40 for Carlisle as they made a brave bid to defend the total but Furness got through to 133-8 with Moneeb Iqbal hitting a priceless 66.

Cockermouth struggled to a draw at Penrith where they were hanging on at 158-9 to collect eight points in total. Ian Buchanan top-scored with 51.

Earlier Penrith had made 180-5 largely due to the efforts of Upul Fernando (70) and Ben Littleton (52). Chamila Gamage took 4 for 41 for Cockermouth.

In the other game Dalton took a winning draw from their game with Duddon SC after scoring 188 and restricting their visitors to 90 for 9.

Willem van Zyl (57) and John Bell (6-27) were the stars for Dalton with Graham Woods taking 5-52 for Duddon.

Workington reserves were on the receiving end at the Valentine Ground as they lost their opening First Division game to Ulverston by 88 runs.

The visitors made 125-9 but then bowled-out the west Cumbrians for a paltry 37. Phil Atkinson took 6-6 from nine overs, six of which were maidens. Ben Kyte, batting at number nine, was the only Workington player in double figures with ten.

Wigton, facing up to life in the First Division after their relegation, started with a win – beating Lanercost by 88 runs.

Gerard Jackson hit 76 out of Wigton’s 189-8 and then Daniel Braithwaite took 5-18 as the visitors were dismissed for 101.

BAE (formerly Vickers Sports) now play as Hawcoat Park and they started with a home win against Egremont by 71 runs.

Egremont, chasing 161, were bowled-out for 90 as Steve Hannaway (5-6) and Peter Wall (4-24) combined to do the damage. Stephen Boyde made 50 for Hawcoat Park.

Top scorers in the Division were Appleby Eden who rattled-up 221-5 against Cleator seconds.

Michael Bailey (97) and Mark Ousby (57) were among the runs for the home side but they couldn’t go through to a win.

Cleator replied with a solid 179-7 as Steven Wishart top-scored with 72 and the west Cumbrians took home nine points from the draw.

Keswick seconds batted as poorly as their first team and were bowled-out for 89 at home to Kirkby after the visitors had posted 150-8.

Mike Etchells was the match-winner for Kirkby as he finished with 5-22.

Vickerstown were the day’s other winners as they beat relegated Lindal Moor by six wickets.

Craig Daly hit 52 in Vickerstown’s winning response of 107-4 after Colin Lucas (4-21) and John Mullins (4-26) had reduced Lindal to 106 all out.

---

Bookmark with: what are these?