Last updated at 11:56, Friday, 10 August 2012

The enforced delay to the Higson Cup final could have done Cockermouth a favour with the team returning to full strength against Keswick in Sunday’s showpiece.

Wet weather put paid to the match last weekend, when batsmen Richard Webster, who was on his honeymoon, and Tom O’Neill, on holiday, were unavailable.

But both return for the second attempt to stage the big match at Penrith this weekend.

“It’s a pretty strong team this week, about the strongest we have put out all season,” said Cockermouth secretary Geoff Minshaw. “You have to build yourself up again for the final, but if the warm spell continues until Sunday, at least we’ll get the game on.”

Cockermouth’s County Cup semi-final against Barrow, scheduled for Sunday, has been put back a week. But the Premier Division pacesetters still face a busy weekend with Penrith, in fourth, the visitors in league action tomorrow.

Realistically, last season’s champs Furness look to be Cockermouth’s only challengers for the title, 18 point behind, with third-placed Cleator 52 points adrift.

“Penrith are one of the biggest tests we have left,” Minshaw said. “We have five games to play in the league and realistically we’ll have to win four.

“But we have been leading all year and hopefully we’ll be okay. We are playing good cricket.”

Cockermouth warmed up for this weekend with a 61-run win over Carlisle.

First published at 11:25, Friday, 10 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk