Carlisle Cricket Club's opening pair of Tom Benn and Ben Davidson proved they’ve forged an almost unbreakable bond after a second 10-wicket win in one weekend booked a CN Higson Cup final spot against Furness.

After combining to see off Whitehaven in the North Lancs and Cumbria Premier Division the day before, yesterday, the two stylish right-handers overcame a 124-run deficit to Cleator at Edenside.

The west Cumbrians, who’ve had it all their own way in the league, put together an underwhelming total after winning the toss and batting first on Carlisle’s parched pitch.

David Watson, 32, and Tom Sharpe, 19, assembled an opening stand of 47, but that was as good as it got for the visitors who continued to lose wickets.

Stand-in pro Ernest Kemm and young off-spinning all-rounder Jonathan Davidson combined to tie the Cleator batting in knots.

They shared six wickets as medium pacer Fraser Conn also continued to impress with two cheap scalps himself. A brace from Ruairidh Barker ended the innings to give Carlisle clear sight of a cup they last won 30 years ago.

In response, Carlisle’s early-season batting woes felt like a long time ago as Benn and Davidson plotted their untroubled way to a surprisingly comfortable victory.

Benn’s 74 made it 174 unbeaten runs in one weekend, while Davidson fell just short of a combined century, adding 42 to Saturday’s 45 not out.

Carlisle captain Marc Brown said that it showed a young team reaching its peak as the season reaches a crucial point.

“We have young players standing up and taking responsibility. Tom Benn was magnificent again, and Fraser Conn’s consistency with the ball is a huge bonus for the team,” he said.

“We are coming together nicely and a cup final for this club will be brilliant.

"It’s been a long time since we won it and now we have the chance to make a bit of our own history.

“I can’t wait.”

Elsewhere in the top-flight, a much-weakened Cleator side had first knock at home to Millom and were grateful for the 48 made by Chris Quin as they were all out for 141. Millom’s Billy Thompson took four for 39.

In reply, Millom had a bad day with the bat to be all out for 73, of which Graham Dawson made 27 not out.

Cleator veteran Dave Rooney returned eight for 28 in 14.4 overs as Cleator retain their 2018 unbeaten league record.

In first at Cockermouth, Keswick were soon 26 for three and, when professional Geeth Kumara went for 15 at 62 for four, it took the middle-order to start a recovery.

Scott McGown with 35 and Stephen Benson,32, made the scoreboard look better for the visitors, but they were all out in the 39th over for 134.

Cockermouth’s Chris Hodgson took four for 44 in 13 overs, and Sam Thompson three for 17 in six overs. Sam’s three victims were the Keswick first three in their order.

After tea, Cockermouth made a moderate start being 26 for two.

Gareth White and Matthew Sempill got their side back on track, until Sempill went for 24, followed by pro Haseeb Azam for four.

Skipper White was still there and, with 21 from Marcus Stables and 11 not out from Chris Hodgson, Cockermouth went to the win in 38 overs at 136 for five, White unbeaten on 46.

Put into bat at home to Workington, Wigton had a good afternoon against a weakened Workington attack.

Wigton skipper Nico Watt followed last week’s century with a 63, and with Mike Slack, pro Theo Manihera, and Mikey Hill all getting into the 30s, the home side were 246 for nine when overs ran out. Workington’s Kristian Moffat took six for 88 in 15 overs.

Workington made a disastrous start to their innings, with the top three all out for 14 between them.

Kaushalya Gajasinghe and Jake Daniel, with 56 and 36 respectively, rallied their side, but there was little help from the tail, and the 2017 champions were all out for 164 in the 43rd over. Mike Slack took three for 29 in eight overs.

In Division One, choosing to bat at home to Kirkby, Workington's 2nds did not have a good day, being all out in the 40th over for 123.

Daniel Rice, 57, and Rob Scott, 27, got more than half the total. Kirkby’s Alistair Bradley took three for 19 in 8 overs and the consistent Mark Etchells, three for 40 in 14 overs.

In reply, Kirkby made a careful reply and won in the 33rd over, scoring 127 for six. Matthew Bruce with 39, and Paul Fugler, 25, were the top run makers.

In first at home to Cockermouth 2nds, Egremont, despite 72 from Shaun Bostock, and 37 from Mark Ponticelli, could only total 162 all out in 44 overs.

Cockermouth’s Aidan Little returned five for 27 in 10 overs, and Andrew Dodds, four for 35 in 12 overs, bowled well.

Cockermouth would be disappointed with their innings, being all out in the 40th over for 126, of which, Liam Jackson scored 46.

Consistent Egremont bowler Coady Scott took four for 34 in 10.3 overs, and Mark Ponticelli sealed a good all-round performance, taking three for 41 in his 15 overs.

There were lots of runs again at Seascale, where Furness 2nds had first knock and, with Joe Amison’s 67, and Luke Shaw’s 53, were all out in the 49th over for 226. Seascale’s Adam Brown in his 15 overs took four for 61.

After tea, Seascale lost an early wicket but then dominated proceedings.

Adam Brown topped off a good day with an unbeaten 66, Andrew Knott made 52, Robin Sparshott, 49 not out, and Joe Hammond, 43, to see Seascale to 227 for three in the 33rd over, and 10 much-needed points.

Hawcoat Park had first knock at Vickerstown and had a poor afternoon, being dismissed for 85.

An odd decision by the Vickerstown skipper to bring on Craig Daly as first change bowler was inspired as Daly took six for 25 in 10.5 overs, with skipper Gareth Benson taking three for 18 in 10 overs.

Another inspired decision was to open the batting with bowler George Scott, who went on to make 34 with one six and five fours supported by Craig Daly’s 22 not out, as the Walneyites won in the 21st over at 91 for five, Benson hitting a six to close proceedings.