Last updated at 11:30, Friday, 25 May 2012

Geoff Minshaw is predicting a tight tussle at the head of the North Lancs and Cumbria Premier Division this term after his club Cockermouth lost top spot following a comprehensive defeat against new leaders Millom.

Cockermouth went down by six wickets to the south Cumbrians last weekend after they were skittled for just 117.

“They beat us pretty convincingly,” admitted Minshaw, Cockermouth secretary. “We were put in on a softish wicket and Millom bowled really well, really tight.

“Not to make excuses, but because we have been playing so well, a lot of our batters haven’t had a lot of time at the crease, and they strangled the life out of us.

“If we had got another 30 or 40 runs it would have been a really interesting game, but we’d have had to bowl really well to win from there. We managed to get four of them out. But it’s about how we bounce back from that match.

“If we had won against Millom we’d have been flying, but it has closed up again.

“It’s going to be a very, very tough league. We play Carlisle on Saturday and they are only a few points below us. They have a good pro, Saliya Saman, who has been here for a few years, and knows how to bowl. They’ve had mixed results, with three wins and two defeats, and we hope to make it 50:50 – with three wins and three defeats – this weekend.”

Minshaw reckons it’s too early to be talking about the potential destination of the title, though holders Furness are a little off the pace.

“It’s early days for Furness and I’m sure they can come back,” he added. “Every team seems capable of beating every other.

“Over the last three years, Furness have gone top and everyone has been playing catch-up. This year they will be playing catch-up, and others have stepped up. It’s very tight.

“We seem to have a settled side, and when Greg Platten is back we’ll be even stronger.”

Cockermouth expected at the start of the season to be without Platten for eight weeks after he was told to rest following sternum surgery last year.

The Higson Cup quarter-final draw has handed Cockermouth a home draw against Haverigg, while Penrith host Keswick. Workington travel to Wigton and Whitehaven are at Cleator.

First published at 11:26, Friday, 25 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk