The top-of-the-table clash at Edenside resulted in an eight-wicket victory for Carlisle Cricket Club 2nds against Kirkby Stephen, which has virtually sewn-up the Eden Valley Cricket League Premiership for the season.

One more victory, and Carlisle have the advantage of playing bottom of the table Stainton on Sunday, will clinch the title.

An under-strength Kirkby Stephen (167/6) were put into bat and, with Chris Scarr (40) top-scoring, made Carlisle (170/2) work hard for their victory, with in-form Jordan Oultram (70 not out) leading the way.

The outstanding feature for me, in this game, was the contribution of young players; for Carlisle Taryn Reay (4/48) and Kirkby Stephen’s James Bowman (30), Will Morland (31 not out) and Joss Warren (28); add Ross Jackson and, from Carlisle James Dawson and Ruairidh Barker, and you can see both these top two sides will continue to dominate.

Elsewhere, two high-scoring drawn matches ensued.

Temple Sowerby made 234/7 with James Nicholson (50) and Steve Hodgson (82). It’s good to see Steve playing after missing most of the season through illness. Richard Bamber took 4/30.

Staffield (231/6) lost early wickets but Steve Thomlinson (68) and Richard Bamber (97 not out) saw the visitors falling just four runs short of their target.

There was an equally tight game at Threlkeld (217/7) with the home side failing by five runs in chasing down Caldbeck’s (222/10). Steven Blake made 80, with Ben Jefferson (4/48) and Sam Sharp (3/19) best with the ball for Threlkeld.

Threlkeld’s reply centred on Ben Jefferson (59), Ben Sharp (56) and Sam Sharp (43) after Jack Proudlock (4/44) had made early in-roads into the top-order.

Lanercost (248/9) beat Braithwaite (129/10) by 119 runs.

Feature of the Lanercost innings was an opening partnership of 165 between Matthew Brown (105) and Craig Foster (69), Tim Workman (6/60) best of the Braithwaite bowlers.

Braithwaite’s reply floundered against some impressive Lanercost bowling by Callum Kennedy (3/7) and Jake Whittaker (5/13).

Stainton (136/8) owed much to Martin Ruddick (41) and Dean Johnston (34) with Andrew Whinn (3/19) but this was overhauled by Rockcliffe (138/2) easily with Ashley Wills (75 not out).

In Division One, Wigton 2nds and Scotby cemented their position at the top-of-the-table with emphatic wins.

The fight for third place, which may ultimately be significant, has tightened with Edenhall, Langholm and Appleby in close contention.

Wigton (334/5) thrashed Keswick 2nds by 271 runs; Luke Williams (125 not out), Thomas Peile (69) and Matthew Percival (65). Keswick (63/9) struggled against the bowling of Dean Thomlinson (4/12) and Thomas Peile (3/41) in an innings that lasted just 18.5 overs.

Gamblesby (79/10) were no match for Scotby (81/3), losing by seven wickets. Andy Teasdale (40 not out) with a flourish of boundaries, after some early shocks, seeing Scotby home.

Appleby Eden (109/5) beat Langholm (103/10) by five wickets.

Tony Steele (48) battled hard for the visitors but Appleby skipper Ryan Davidson (7/34) and three catches put the home side in the driving seat. Dave Steele (2/25) and Steven Johnstone (3/24) made the early breakthrough and, at 66/5, Appleby were in danger of losing; however Morgan Fothergill, with a superb 46 not out, secured the win.

Nunwick defeated Carlisle 3rds.

In Division Two, Carleton pretty much secured their promotion to Division One with a demolition of close rivals Lanercost 2nds by 162 runs.

Carleton (241/10) with another Shaun McDermott (103) century piled on the runs with Sam Wright (3/57) best with the ball. Lanercost (79/10) routed by Jim Litherland (4/23) and Ray Cuneen (3/13).

Patterdale kept their promotion chances alive with a six-wicket victory at Kirkby Stephen 2nds (136/10), with Dean Kelso (4/27), a score never enough at Kirkby which Patterdale (137/4) chased down in 18 overs; Jono Terry (44) top-scoring.

Caldbeck 2nds (221/8) with Daniel Bargh (82) and Steve Percival (51) proved too strong for Temple Sowerby 2nds (143/8) although the visitors were not bowled out; Richard Forrester (46) top-scored for Temple Sowerby.

Irthing Vale (200/5) beat a young Penrith 3rds (87/10) by 113 runs.

Full credit to Nigel Fowles in getting a side out these last couple of weeks after a succession of conceded matches.

In the Sunday League, Carlisle's academy (74/3) beat Dumfries (73/10) by 7 wickets. Jonny Westgarth (6/16) – impressive!

Penrith 4ths (132/10) beat Keswick 3rds by 26 runs in a low-scoring game at Penrith. A late Graeme Dixon (37) flourish with five sixes the only score of note.

Wigton 3rds versus Langholm 2nds was cancelled.

Junior Cup finals day took place at Wetheral.

As last year, rain intervened, delaying the start and semi-final games being reduced in overs to 15-a-side.

Holders Edenhall (75/7) took first knock, setting Lanercost 2nds a not too challenging target. Rob Bland (3/14) and Johnnie Kidd (3/11) put the skids under Lanercost (73/9) and, despite a late flourish, fell two runs short.

In the second semi-final, Kirkby Stephen 2nds (57/9) were no match for a more experienced Caldbeck 2nds (60/3), losing by seven wickets. Steve Percival (5/5) outstanding.

This set-up an interesting final.

Caldbeck (101/8), put into bat, lost a spate of early wickets with only Craig Pattinson (40) shining; Tom Wentworth (3/15) doing the damage.

Edenhall’s reply was halted by a heavy shower after three overs.

A good start, with Jamie Armstrong (24), had Edenhall (105/4) in a good position. Steve Percival (2/2) then brilliantly caught Armstrong, injuring himself in the process.

Unable to take any further part in the game, Caldbeck’s weakened attack was put to the sword by Tim Holliday (44 not out) in just 31 balls, giving Edenhall victory with two overs to spare and retaining the trophy.

Steve Percival won the Man of the Finals trophy collected, on his behalf having left the ground for treatment.

Speedy recovery Steve.

Finally, on a personal note, I wish to let people know that as of Saturday morning, I resigned as an umpire in the Eden Valley League.

It’s something I have enjoyed doing for many years and I’m sure the reasons for my decision will come out in the wash.