Back to the glorious weather of some weeks ago, the weekend produced some of the best Eden Valley Cricket League matches of the season, record scores, tight finishes and the highs and lows of this wonderful game.

On Saturday, Carleton made 373/0 with Shaun McDermott unbeaten on 212 and Alex Smith 108 not out, to win by 240 runs against Temple Sowerby 2nds.

But the next day, they crashed out of the Junior Cup, losing at home to Kirkby Stephen's 2nds.

On a worrying note, Premier League Staffield conceded a league game at Threlkeld on Sunday as they were unable to raise a team.

This is one of the several issues for the League Management Committee to discuss, double-header weekends are proving more difficult for a number of clubs now.

I had the pleasure of umpiring a superb game at Hills Bottom as Kirkby Stephen (233/5) held out as Rockcliffe (232/6) chased down their target.

Chris Scarr (135 not out) and Ashley Wills (101) were the star performers with the bat, albeit both being dropped on several occasions behind the stumps. They fell one run short.

Staffield asked Caldbeck to bat first, a decision that backfired on them badly.

Caldbeck (314/6) with Stephen Blake 138, Rob Benn 66, Ben Tickle 43, while Robbie O’Neill took 5/93. Staffield (155/8) never threatened; Steven Thomlinson (49) was best with the bat, Matthew Strong taking 2/20 from his 10 overs.

Threlkeld (90/2) comfortably beat Temple Sowerby (86/10) by eight wickets.

Somewhat disappointing that two of the three Premier League games have incomplete scoresheets on the website.

The top-of-the-table clash at Edenside on Sunday saw Carlisle's 2nds (165/9) beat Lanercost (121/10) by 44 runs and take over as leaders from their opponents.

James Dawson (53) top-scored for Carlisle. Marcus Tiffen (4/27), Jordan Oultram (3/32) and Tom Lydiate (3/26) restricted Lanercost’s reply.

Division One had another top-of-the-table match between Scotby and Wigton's 2nds with an unexpected twist.

Wigton were all out for 113. Dan Swann taking 3/12 and Nick Rigg 3/37, a target Scotby would expect to get without too much trouble.

Dean Thomlinson (7/8) and Elliot Armstrong (3/18) had other ideas as the home side were shot out for just 30 runs with seven ducks; a victory that took Wigton to the top spot.

Edenhall (175/9), Tom Wentworth (54), had a comfortable 56-run victory over a below-strength Langholm (119/10). Rob Bland (4/28) was best with the ball.

Wetheral (256/7) put together a solid batting performance right down the order, Richard Timperon (65) top-scoring.

Gamblesby (135/10) were never in the hunt. Darren Coleman (35) the only batsman able to cope with the bowling of Lee Hogarth (5/27) and Olly Smith (4/41), Wetheral winning by 121 runs.

Sunday’s fixtures had Langholm (128/4) defeating Carlisle's 3rds (125/10) by six wickets.

Jack Pool (5/35) did most of the damage. Langholm’s reply centred on Gregor Park (49 not out) and Stuart Duggan (44).

Appleby Eden (151/10) had the better of a reduced overs game at Culgaith against Keswick's 2nds (125/6).

Carl Hodder making 36 and Andrew Lightfoot 31. Young bowlers Dan Craghill (4/38) and Finn Turnbull (5/39) shone with the ball.

Keswick settled for the point, James Hullock (3/27) and Josh Bellas (3/24) the wicket-takers.

Division Two featured a close game at Culgaith between Appleby's 2nds (138/10) and Patterdale (139/6).

The visitors winning with just two balls left, Allesandro Housby (37), Scott Wilson (33) and James Hunter (22 not out) seeing them home.

Lanercost's 2nds (169/10) proved too strong for Caldbeck's 2nds (118/10) winning by 51 runs, Barnaby Robson (3/5) best with the ball.

Irthing Vale (266/6) with Duncan Millar (85) and Mohammed Ashraf (51) proved too good for a young Kirkby Stephen 2nds (99/10). Phil Corrie took 3/6.

Two Junior Cup ties were completed on Sunday.

Lanercost 2nds (170/5). Jack Baker (41) and Ryan Proud (38) set Gamblesby (137/9) a daunting target which they set about with intent.

David McCormick made 37 until the innings fell away, leaving them 33 runs short.

Carleton, fresh from their record-breaking Saturday, entertained Kirkby Stephen 2nds who had been thrashed by Irthing Vale the day before.

Kirkby Stephen made 109/9, Lee Field (4/26) with Dan Todd (36) posing the only threat. A below-par score everyone thought – except Kirkby Stephen 2nds.

Ross Jackson (2/16) took out the prolific Shaun McDermott with his first ball and, backed up with some great catches, all the Kirkby bowlers excelled; John Bowman (2/9), Ian Cousin (2/14), Dan Todd (1/16) and Joe Bennet (1/7) who removed Alex Smith (26) the only threat as Carleton were bowled out for 84; a superb win for Kirkby Stephen.

In the Sunday League, Caldbeck Colts (174/3) defeated Keswick 3rds by seven wickets; Martin Hall and Joe Nichol with retired 50s to their name.