Sunday’s glorious weather ensured some really good-to-watch cricket as the Senior League Cup reached its conclusion.

Starting early on at Stainton, Appleby 2nds (186/2), Carl Hodder (50), beat Rockcliffe (82) before dashing off down the A66 to Keswick and going straight into their semi-final against Kirkby Stephen.

Kirkby Stephen (122/6) set an above-par score for the day, which Appleby (97/7) never really threatened to reach.

Earlier, Caldbeck (109/7) and Carlisle 2nds (104/6) played out a close first game. Rob Benn (52) the main contributor for Caldbeck, Jordan Oultram (3/18) putting the brakes on the Caldbeck innings.

Carlisle 2nds were always in contention but Jack Proudlock (3/14) helped keep them at bay.

The final between Caldbeck (125/4) and Kirkby Stephen (85/10) was not as one-sided as the scores suggest.

Caldbeck, thanks to Jack Proudlock (51 not out) scoring 45 off the last four overs, giving them a great start.

Kirkby Stephen, while keeping up with the rate for a good part, kept losing wickets, leaving the tail far too much to do and the innings closed with 3.2 overs remaining.

Jack Proudlock deservedly won the trophy for his outstanding performances in both games. Congratulations to Keswick for their hospitality and organisation on the day. Superb effort.

Saturday morning’s rain did not interfere too much, with only the game between Lanercost 2nds and the unfortunate Edenhall, who have hardly played for weeks, being affected.

Braithwaite and Kirkby Stephen met at Hills Bottom with the visitors hanging on in the last over to gain a point.

A deluge at midday had the ground flooded but, after a great effort, play started at 3.00pm in a reduced 32-overs-a-side game.

Kirkby’s 165/6 looked in danger with Jason Pyke again in good form. But the introduction of Julian Cann, with five wickets, turned the game on its head with Gilbert Pyke surviving the last two balls.

Carlisle 2nds comprehensively beat Rockcliffe (80) by eight wickets at Edenside. Phil Frazer (10-4-9-3) and Simon Plevin (10-4-12-3) making life very difficult for the visitors.

Carlisle 2nds (82/2) made short work of their target, taking just 15 overs with Alex Raybould (45) top-scoring.

The other two games in the Premier League, at Scotby and Threlkeld, were not without incident, due primarily to the fact that neither game had an appointed league umpire. How and why this occurred is a question for the league officials to determine.

Both games were played on artificial for different reasons of course. Scotby, having to play at Wetheral, put Appleby (106/9) in to bat, Ollie Cowan taking 4/21. In reply, Scotby (108/3) chased the total down in 22 overs. Dubious decisions both ways led to some "heated discussions".

At Threlkeld, a very wet ground resulted in both captains agreeing to play on artificial.

Caldbeck made 117, an under-par score for this ground, with the wickets shared. Threlkeld (119/3) had no trouble in reaching their target with Sam Sharp (54 not out). Again, some angst over decisions spoiling the game.

In Division One, Staffield (117/4) beat local rivals Nunwick (116/8) by six wickets; Richard Bamber (4/19), Steven Thomlinson (43 not out) best with the bat.

An excellent game at Wigton resulted in a tie. Wigton 2nds (141/6), with nine men, owed much to Billy Ray (62). Carlisle 3rds (141) looked home and dry but a late-order collapse and a run-out going for the winning run denied them a victory. These results have set up an enthralling run-in for the promotion spots.

In Division Two, Langholm (181/7) had a comprehensive win over Keswick 2nds (73) at a soggy Castleholm. Duncan Elliot (77) and Graham Park (36) with a century opening partnership. Keswick 2nds never got going with Graeme Dixon (30) the only batsman with double figures. Graham Park (5/31) completed a fine all-round performance.

Division Two leaders, Gamblesby (104), crashed at Caldbeck 2nds (105/7) losing by 3 wickets; Craig Pattinson (4/30), Callum Donald (23 not out) taking his side to victory. Carleton (45/2) overwhelmed a depleted Wigton 3rds by eight wickets.

Finally, congratulations to Kirkby Stephen 2nds in winning promotion to Divsion Two. Kirkby Stephen (170) with James Bowman scoring 76, beat Carlisle 4ths (11 ) by 53 runs.

SCOREBOARD

SENIOR CUP

Appleby 2nds 186/7. Rockcliffe 82/10). Appleby won by 104 runs.

Caldbeck 109/7. Carlisle2nds 104/6. Caldbeck won by 5 runs.

Appleby 2nds 97/7. Kirkby Stephen 122/6. Kirkby Stephen won by 25 runs.

Caldbeck 125/4. Kirkby Stephen 85/10. Caldbeck won by 40 runs.

PREMIER DIVISION

Carlisle 2nds 82/2. Rockcliffe 80/10. Carlisle 2nds won by 8 wickets.

Kirkby Stephen 165/5. Braithwaite 141/9. Kirkby Stephen - winning draw.

Scotby 108/3. Appleby 106/9. Scotby won by 7 wickets.

Threlkeld 119/3. Caldbeck 117/10. Threlkeld won by 7 wickets.

DIVISION ONE

Langholm 181/7. Keswick 2nds 73/10. Langholm won by 108 runs.

Staffield 117/4. Nunwick 116/8. Staffield won by 6 wickets.

Wigton 2nds 141/6. Carlisle 3rds 141/10. Match tied.

DIVISION TWO

Caldbeck 2nds 105/7. Gamblesby 104/10. Caldbeck won by 3 wickets.

Carleton 45/2. Wigton 3rds 44/10. Carleton won by 8 wickets.

Lanercost 5/1. Edenhall did not bat. Match abandoned.

DIVISION THREE

Kirkby Stephen 2nds 170/10. Carlisle 4ths 117/10. Kirkby Stephen won by 53 runs.