Saturday's Eden Valley Cricket League games produced some of the best cricket of the season, highlighted by a league record 214 not out by popular Gamblesby captain Darren Coleman.

He hammered Temple Sowerby second-team’s bowling around the Thunderdome as Gamblesby totalled 299/3.

But with cricket being the wonderful game it is, it brought both him and Gamblesby back down to earth the following day as they were dismissed for 85 with Darren contributing just 13 against Penrith 3rds.

In the Premiership, Carlisle 2nds (68/1) returned to winning ways with a nine-wicket win at Wigton (67/10).

Nearest challengers Caldbeck and Lanercost fought out a thrilling game at Caldbeck, with the home side winning with a ball to spare.

Lanercost (202/6) with Jonathan Robley (88 not out) and Ross Wilson (49) leading the way. Jack Proudlock (3/42) best of Caldbeck’s bowlers.

Caldbeck (208/6) then relied on Ben Tickle (53), Jack Proudlock (48 not out), with Kevin Pattinson (six not out) adding the final flourish.

Another close finish at Rockcliffe saw the home side get home in the last over after a lengthy delay due to a high tide on the Solway.

Kirkby Stephen (152/7) with Thomas Askew (35) top-scoring. Rockcliffe (156/8) owed everything to Ashley Wills (86 not out) for their win.

There should also be a mention for young spinners Josh Stirling (3/34) of the home side and Oliver Rose (2/40) for Kirkby.

Threlkeld (267/8) beat Scotby (168/7) by 99 runs – not two wickets as indicated on the Eden Valley Cricket League website.

In Division One, Wetheral (247/6) beat leaders Appleby Eden (235/10) by 12 runs in a superb match at Appleby.

Appleby Eden continued their weekend taking a much-changed team to Patterdale, not helped with three of the players making it to the top of Kirkstone before realising they had missed the ground en-route.

Patterdale (77/10) took early advantage of the shortage of fielders. Appleby Eden (78/5), cruising at 55/2, suddenly lost three wickets in a John Young over and were in trouble, but Jack Hutt (11 not out) saw them home.

Langholm (63/10) came a cropper at Staffield (64/2), losing by eight wickets. Stuart Duggan (35) played a lone hand as Steven Thomlinson (5/11), Chris Tuer (3/20) and Terence O’Neill (2/9) took the wickets. Staffield won at a canter.

Edenhall (108/3) kept in the promotion race with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Keswick 2nds (107/6) with Andrew Hetherington (41 not out) and Rob Bland (34 not out) seeing them home.

Stainton and Carleton (140/9) came to a premature end at tea after heavy rain – vagaries of Cumbrian weather.

In Division Two, as mentioned earlier, Gamblesby (299/3) beat Temple Sowerby 2nds (174/8) with Adrian Thompson (56) replying for the home side.

Elsewhere, Penrith 3rds had a good weekend. Visiting Lanercost 2nds (157/10) on Saturday, they recorded an eight-wicket victory. Nigel Fowles (8/22) bowling the home side out. Dean Lythgoe (55) top-scoring.

On Sunday, Penrith 3rds (87/9) scraped home by one wicket after dismissing Gamblesby (85/10). Skipper Charlie Hansford (48 not out) seeing the home side home, despite the efforts of Simon Watson (5/22) and Darren Coleman (3/14).

Caldbeck 2nds (89/1) proved too strong for Kirkby Stephen 2nds (85/10), pretty much ensuring their promotion to Division One.

In the Sunday League, Caldbeck Colts (167/6) beat leaders Stainton 2nds (164/5) by four wickets with two balls remaining.

Wigton 3rds (130/9) beat Langholm 2nds (127/6) by one wicket. Carlisle’s Academy clash against Lanercost Colts (63/5) fell to the weather while Dumfries had to concede their game at Appleby.