The weekend Eden Valley Cricket League programme was highlighted by some remarkable bowling figures but, sadly, featured two conceded matches with clubs unable to raise teams on Sunday – one of these a Division One league game.

A close, high-scoring game at Caldbeck saw the home side winners by 26 runs. Put into bat, Caldbeck (216/5) had Jack Proudlock (107 not out) and Jamie Brownrigg (49) to thank with a fifth-wicket partnership of 140. 

Rockcliffe (190/10) in a strong position at 178/5 lost four wickets at that score and were bowled out with just one ball of the innings left; Proudlock (3/24) and Greg Tickle (4/33) doing the damage; Ashley Wills (62) and John Wharton (40) giving the visitors a great start before the mid-innings collapse.

Joint-leaders Carlisle 2nds had a comfortable eight-wicket win; Temple Sowerby (73/10) with James Farmer (34) the only batsman in double figures; Jordan Oultram (8-4-8-5) outstanding with the ball. Carlisle (74/2) eased to victory with Oultram (35 not out) completing a fine all-round performance.

Lanercost (157/10) lost at home to Scotby (161/5); Craig Foster (42) and David Ferguson (39) the only ones to cope with Dan Swann (4/31), Luke Jackman (3/40) and Olly Driver (2/15). Scotby, at 90/5, were struggling but the experienced Olly Driver (39 not out) and Andrew Teasdale (22 not out) took them to victory.

Threlkeld (107/3) had a comfortable seven-wicket win against Wigton 2nds (105/10). A mid-innings blast from James Holyoake (37) and George Spark (29) giving Wigton some respectability; Ben Jefferson (3/16) and Richard Bannister (3/15) doing the early damage. Threlkeld raced to victory with John Phillips (42 not out) and Jefferson (35) leading the charge.

In Division One, Carleton defeated Stainton by 29 runs.

Carleton (107/9) owed everything to Alex Smith (33), Jim Litherland (30 not out) and Paul Reay (19) for their score, Martin Ruddick (10-7-6-3), Ben Clementson (3/33) and Liam Mulholland (2/11) doing the damage.

Stainton (78/10) started well but the introduction of Ray Cunneen (9.3-3-9-7), remarkable figures, brought a swift end to the innings.

Keswick 2nds (122/8) were on the receiving end of a 10-wicket hammering from Edenhall (124/0). The Keswick innings started solidly but gathered no momentum as Rob Bland (4/41) and Johnie Kidd (2/23) kept control.

Edenhall (124/0) had no such problems as Tim Holliday (63 not) and Matthew Wilson (56 not out) took Edenhall to victory.

Staffield emerged victorious in a low-scoring game at Langholm.

Staffield (91/10) chose to bat first and struggled against the bowling of Tony Steele (10-7-7-2) and Graham Park (4/21). Langholm (57/10) fared even worse in their reply; Gregor Park (27) tried to keep the innings together to no avail as Mark Vasey (10-7-5-5) and Steve Thomlinson (4.2-1-5-4) ripped through the Langholm batting.

Appleby Eden (214/3) with Tony Ousby (101 not out) and Jordan Palmer (67 not out) posted their best score of the season; a score Wetheral (49/10) never threatened as the Appleby bowlers: Ryan Davidson (10-7-11-3), James Hullock (10-2-15-3) and Andrew Lightfoot (2/7), backed up by some superb catching, demolished the Wetheral innings.

The Division Two games saw three convincing wins for the home teams.

Braithwaite (151/10) with Andrew Pepper (47) and Tom Sams (40) top scoring; Brian Allinson (7.3-2-14-7) outstanding with the ball. Kirkby’s reply, with Mark Modin (34) fell away after a good start, unable to cope with Lee Zaninetti (5/17) and Ashton Neesham (3/23), falling just five runs from a point.

Irthing Vale (161/9) had a comfortable 80-run win over Gamblesby (81/10); Nick Crosby (80) best with the bat. Simon Watson (4/31), Andrew Benson (3/27), leading bowlers for Gamblesby, never got near as Kevin Bellis (3/19), Mohammed Asif (3/11) and Martin Ewin (2/9) skittled the visitors.

Nunwick (141/9) proved too strong for Lanercost 2nds; Tony Bennett (53) giving Nunwick a good platform; Josh Pieri (3/9) best of the bowlers. Lanercost (51/10) collapsed against the bowling of David Booker (4/18) and Adam Pattinson (3/17).

On Sunday, Caldbeck 2nds (252/10) thrashed Penrith 3rds (66/10) by 186 runs.

Solid batting throughout with Scott Wetherell (49) top score; Ben Johnson (3/29) best for Penrith; Ben Ellis (26) the only batsman contributing; Cameron Wilson (4/7) finishing the innings off.

Two Sunday League games resulted in wins for Lanercost Colts and Appleby Eden 2nds. 

Appleby celebrated their second visit over the border in recent weeks by defeating Dumfries by 67 runs.

Appleby Eden (163/10), Josh Brabbins (61), a competitive score; David Lightfoot (3/17) best with the ball. Dumfries (96/10) had threatened with Adam Malik (55 not out) but Carl Hodder (5/27) took out the earlier batting and Josh Brabbins (4/13), discarding the gloves, cleaning up the tail.

Lanercost Colts (154/10), Ollie Allen (42) and Sam Wright (39), proved too strong for Carlisle's Academy (105/10), collapsing in their reply; James Brown (22) top scoring; Tom Wood (3/34) causing the early damage.

Unfortunately, Sunday’s Division One game at Carlisle was conceded by Patterdale who were unable to raise a team. Likewise, Langholm conceded their game at Wigton 3rds – worrying at this stage of the season.