Sam Sharp took an astonishing five wickets in one over in Threlkeld’s win over Temple Sowerby.

In reality, one over at Temple Sowerby turned the game on its head as I had the privilege of witnessing an outstanding individual performance.

Having been put into bat, Threlkeld totalled 153/10 with Ben Sharp (75) riding his luck and top-scoring.

Sowerby’s reply was running smoothly and, at 119/3 off 29 overs, they looked certain winners.

Enter Sam Sharp (6/37) to bowl the 30th and his 10th and last over. Carnage followed as the Threlkeld paceman dismissed five Sowerby batsmen in six balls – all bowled!

He took four of them in four balls, including a hat-trick. George Burne blocked the fifth – just – and had his stumps spread-eagled with the last. It was magnificent bowling which turned the game on its head.

Carl Hinkley (54) did his best to see Sowerby home but fell to Ben Sharp (4/33), leaving Threlkeld winners by 10 runs.

Elsewhere in the Eden Valley Premier Division, Braithwaite retained top spot with a winning seven-point draw at Carlisle.

Batting first, Braithwaite (197/4) owed everything to Jason Pyke (116 not out).

Carlisle’s reply saw some solid batting throughout; Jonathan Davidson (53) and Matthew Trickett (56 not out). But Carlisle came up short in their chase with skipper Andrew Muir (4/36) best with the ball for Braithwaite.

Kirkby Stephen kept themselves in the title race with an excellent win at Rockcliffe. Put in to bat, Kirkby scored an impressive (206/5) – Chris Scarr (74), Julian Cann (44) and Dan Todd (56 not out). Rockcliffe (124/10) never really threatened as Kirkby won by 80 runs.

Caldbeck were convincing winners in their game with Stainton.

Put into bat, Stainton were kept down to 90/9 in a reduced overs game with Matthew Strong (5/25) in the wickets yet again! Caldbeck (92/3) raced to victory in 17 overs; Steven Blake (40) top-scoring.

At the wrong end of the table, Appleby (74/3) beat Scotby (72/10) by seven wickets; Dan Swann with an aggressive 45 the only one to cope with Ryan Davidson(10-6-9-5) and the returning Mark Ousby (10-4-9-0); Joe Davidson (24) and Chris Beckwith (24) top-scoring for Appleby.

The Division One title race is hotting up; Lanercost opening up a slight gap after their five-wicket victory over Langholm (99/10). Lanercost (100/5) getting home in the 20th over.

The clash between Staffield and Carlisle 3rds, their nearest challengers, was an epic; Staffield (212/7) with Steve Thomlinson (61) and Tony Threlkeld (65 not out) set the target.

Carlisle 3rds’ reply started slowly but, promoted up the order, Muhammed Shahid (59) and Tom Earl (75), with some big hitting, brought the visitors near and skipper Chris Vever (17 not out) saw them home with three overs to spare.

Nunwick (77/10) were soundly beaten by Keswick 2nds (81/1). The same fate befell Appleby 2nds (58/9) at Wetheral (59/2). Andy Barr, skulled and taken to hospital, is okay but not the best of experiences for the younger members of the Appleby side.

Gamblesby (226/7) increased their lead at the top of Division Two with a last-ball victory over Penrith 4ths (225/6) with Andrew Benson (86 not out).

Penrith 3rds (189/4) with Donald Berger (102) defeated Edenhall (185/10) by four runs.

In a close encounter, Caldbeck 2nds (178/9) just failed to chase down Stainton’s 2nds (179/6) – it doesn’t get much closer!

Sunday’s games had Nunwick 2nds (145/9) beating a young Carlisle 4ths (103/10) by 42 runs.

In Division Two, Wigton 3rds (236/7) beat Carleton (171/5) by 65 runs; Matthew Reed (60 not out) and Mikey Thomlinson (57); Michael Rice (87) best with the bat for Carleton.

In the Junior Cup, Keswick 3rds (122/8) progressed through beating Stainton 2nds (112/10) by 10 runs.

RESULTS

PREMIER DIVISION

Appleby Eden 74/3. Scotby 72/10. Appleby Eden won by 7 wickets.

Caldbeck 92/3. Stainton 90/9. Caldbeck won by 7 wickets.

Carlisle 2nds 175/6. Braithwaite 197/4. Winning draw Braithwaite.

Rockcliffe 124/10. Kirkby Stephen 206/5. Kirkby Stephen won by 82 runs.

Temple Sowerby 143/10. Threlkeld 153/10. Threlkeld won by 10 runs.

DIVISION ONE

Lanercost 100/5. Langholm 99/10. Lanercost won by 5 wickets.

Nunwick 77/10. Keswick 2nds 81/1. Keswick 2nds won by 9 wickets.

Staffield 212/7. Carlisle 3rds 213/6. Carlisle 3rds won by 4 wickets.

Wetheral 59/2. Appleby 2nds 58/10. Wetheral won by 8 wickets.

DIVISION TWO

Gamblesby 226/7. Penrith 4ths 225/6. Gamblesby won by 3 wickets.

Penrith 3rds 189/4. Edenhall 185/10. Penrith 3rds won by 4runs.

Stainton 2nds 179/6. Caldbeck 2nds 178/9. Winning draw Stainton 2nds.

Wigton 3rds 236/7. Carleton 171/5. Wigton 3rds won by 65 runs.

DIVISION THREE

Nunwick 2nds 145/9. Carlisle 4ths 103/10. Nunwick 2nds won by 42 runs.

Other Results not to hand

JUNIOR CUP

Keswick 3rds 122/8. Stainton 2nds 112/10. Keswick 3rds won by 10 runs.