The penultimate week of the season was not without its shocks, affecting potential champions.

Scotby provided the biggest upset in the Eden Valley Cricket League, Premier Division by taking seven points from leaders Kirkby Stephen.

Put into bat, James Swann (79) and Andrew Jefferson (38) with an opening partnership of 135 gave Scotby a great start. And, although the innings fell away, 180/8 was a competitive total which Kirkby Stephen struggled to match; Rob Hook (52) top-scoring for the visitors as they closed on 151/9.

Braithwaite had a mixed weekend.

A comprehensive win against Appleby by 117 runs on Saturday with outstanding performances by Jason Pyke (68 not out) and Tom Smith (57) with the bat, and Dan Pyke (9-1-20-9) with the ball, was followed by a potential win at Scotby (148/9) thwarted by the weather as the game was abandoned with Braithwaite (57/2) and with 24 overs left.

Feature of this game was the remarkable bowling figures of Gilbert Pyke (10-4-7-2) – one run and six wides conceded – quite an amazing set of figures!

Stainton had a miserable weekend.

They salvaged a point at Temple Sowerby on Saturday after Sowerby had posted an imposing 252/2 with Alister Craig (108 not out) and James Farmer (46 not out) racking up the runs; Stainton (190/7) replied with Jonathan Ridley (63 not out) and Stew Marshall (25 not out) gaining the point.

On Sunday, at Rockcliffe after posting 146-8, they were bowled out for 67, losing by 81 runs.

Threlkeld (214/10) kept their nerve, beating Carlisle 2nds (203/10) by 11 runs; Jamie Lihou (55) and Ben Sharp (47) top-scoring; Jordan Oultram (3/33) best with the ball. In reply, Carlisle 2nds chased hard; Jonathan Davidson (69) and a last-wicket partnership of 41 between Tom Lydiate (25 not out) and Will Bell (16) almost getting Carlisle home.

The significance of these results leaves Kirkby Stephen, Braithwaite and Threlkeld all in contention to win the Premier Division with Scotby tied with Stainton at the bottom, fighting to avoid the drop with Appleby.

In Division One Nunwick (119/10), thanks to Robbie White (36) and then with a hat-trick (4/18) with the ball, defeated Wigton’s 2nds (103/10) by 16 runs.

Keswick 2nds (214/8), with Joe Grisedale (81) top-scoring, beat Wetheral (87/10) by 127 runs. Keswick 2nds and Wigton 2nds meet in the last game on Saturday to determine which are relegated with Appleby 2nds set to go down.

Previous Division Two leaders Gamblesby (59/10) came a cropper at home, losing by six wickets to Stainton 2nds (63/4); Thomas Graham (6/12) doing the damage.

Edenhall (47/1) hammered a depleted eight-men Carleton (46 all out), thereby setting up a title decider on Saturday at Gamblesby with the top two tied on points.

The other game saw Caldbeck 2nds amass 362/6 – having been 61/4 at one stage; Steve Percival (125) and Daniel Bargh (159) putting on 198 for the fifth wicket; Penrith 4ths (94/10) never threatened.

Edenhall and Kirkby Stephen 2nds met in the final of the Junior League Cup on Sunday.

Batting first Kirkby Stephen, after losing early wickets, totalled 88/5 with Will Morland (34) and Brandon Jackson (25 not out); Jamie Armstrong (2/6). Edenhall struggled in reply and were indebted to Andrew Hetherington (29 not out) for their win. Kirkby Stephen will rue the 25 wides they bowled which clearly cost them in the end; Hetherington was adjudged man-of-the-match.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Langholm (97/5) who beat Carlisle 3rds (96/10) by five wickets.

Carlisle 4ths (117/5) beat Keswick 3rds (116/10) by five wickets with opener Charlie Hutchinson (55) impressing the bat. Temple Sowerby 2nds (125/4) beat Irthing Vale (125/10) by six wickets.

scoreboard

PREMIER DIVISION

Rockcliffe 146/8. Stainton 67/10. Rockcliffe won by 79 runs.

Scotby 148/9. Braithwaite 57/2 – abandoned – rain.

Appleby Eden 72/10. Braithwaite 189/5. Braithwaite won by 117 runs.

Scotby 180/8. Kirkby Stephen 151/9. Winning draw – Scotby.

Temple Sowerby 252/2. Stainton 190/7. Winning draw – Temple Sowerby.

Threlkeld 214/10. Carlisle 2nds 203/10. Threlkeld won by 11 runs.

DIVISION ONE

Carlisle 3rds 96/10. Langholm 97/5. Langholm won by five wickets.

Keswick 2nds 214/8. Wetheral 87/10. Keswick 2nds won by 127 runs.

Wigton 2nds 103/10. Nunwick 119/10. Nunwick won by 16 runs.

DIVISION TWO

Caldbeck 2nds 362/6. Penrith 4ths 94/10. Caldbeck 2nds won by 268 runs.

Edenhall 47/1. Carleton 46/7. Edenhall won by nine wickets.

Gamblesby 59/10. Stainton 2nds 63/4. Stainton won by six wickets.

DIVISION THREE

Keswick 3rds 116/10. Carlisle 4ths 117/5. Carlisle 4ths won by five wickets.

Temple Sowerby 2nds 125/4. Irthing Vale 121/10. Temple Sowerby won by six wickets.

JUNIOR CUP FINAL

Kirkby Stephen 2nds 88/5. Edenhall 92/7. Edenhall won by three wickets.