Last updated 11:45, Thursday, 07 August 2008

THE final week of the Carlisle Midweek League saw all divisions still having scores to settle regarding promotion and relegation, and a number of these have had to be sorted via the run rate rule.

In Division One, champions Wigton (for the fifth time in a row) suffered a hangover loss to Penrith Schools. The home side were set 141 to win by the schools, thanks to Tony Threlkeld's 75 not out.

Apart from Gillespie and Thompson none of the Wigton batters got a start, and they ended up some 35 runs shy of the target.

Penrith Schools superior run rate over the season meant that this win confirms them as runners up, just ahead of Innovia.

The Wigton side won away to Baggrow who could only manage 88 for 8 in 18 overs, with only Steve Hudson on 25 reaching double figures, although there were no ducks in the Baggrow innings!

Innovia lost early wickets, but Fleming and Varty saw the visitors across the line. Baggrow's loss meant they ended the season on ten points. Pirelli won their second consecutive home game to join them on 10 points, with a victory over Burgh.

Pirelli batted first and racked up 140 for 6, with Warren Jay leading the charge with 35. In reply Burgh were 44 runs shy as McMillan and Khan held sway with the ball. In the final game at Scotby, the rain was the victor. Caldbeck were 76 for 6 thanks to a cavalier 45 from Brownrigg, but the heavens opened to end the match.

The point apiece meant that Scotby were safe from relegation,and Caldbeck ended up on ten points.

So the final analysis saw two from Caldbeck, Baggrow and Pirelli being relegated, all based on net run rates. With the superior run rate it is Pirelli who stay in the top flight, while the other two will play Second Division next year. Austin Friars were already promoted as champions, and they will be joined by Rockcliffe A in the top flight.

Friars game at Stainton fell victim to the weather as did Civic Centre away to Arthuret & Esk A. Rockcliffe beat Carleton who could only set the visitors 84, and Rockcliffe won by 8 wickets.

The rain at Longtown and the defeat by Carleton sees these teams relegated to Division Three. Fantails beat promotion hopefuls Infirmary by nine wickets to escape the drop after a topsy-turvy season.

Naworth Colts are promoted as champions, and their final game at home to Wetheral was pivotal in deciding who joined them. The Colts racked up 133 for 7, and Wetheral's promotion hopes flickered as they ended on just 83 for 8.

With Moorhouse picking up one point in a rain affected rescheduled match on Tuesday evening, the final match at home to Lanercost would decide who went up.

Lanercost set a challenging 126 for 5, but in form Roger Holliday with 58 not out, and Graeme Westmoreland 57 not out ensured the Dalston men would play in Division Two next year.

In other matches, Kings Head won a low scoring game against Caldbeck Oldies, while Rockcliffe B ended the season in style with a four-wicket win over Denton Holme. Spadeadam's much improved season culminated in a win over local rivals Irthing Vale.

n The season culminated on Sunday with the League Cup final at Caldbeck, as Scotby won a tense affair with one over to spare against first time finalists Caldbeck. The final is played as two, 20 over innings match.

Batting first Caldbeck lost early wickets, and were in deep trouble at 62 for 5 in the 16th over, but opener Steve Blake launched a counter attack which saw him smash six sixes in the final four overs to bring the crowd to life.

After their 20 overs, Caldbeck had reach 118 for 6. Best bowler for Scotby was Johny Ridley with 3 for 12 off his 5 overs. Scotby innings was a mirror image with them racing to 62 for 2 off just 6 overs, but the introduction of Rob Benn to the bowling line up saw wickets tumble, and the run rate dry up.

Only some sensible batting from Andrew Teasdale at the death saw Scotby reach 130 for 8, to establish a valuable 12 run lead at the half way point.

Caldbeck's second innings started much brighter, but a tremendous diving catch by Ridley removed the dangerous Blake in the 7th over, with the score on 38. Mike Strong and Steve Watson added 48 runs, but the run rate was still a little slow against excellent bowling by Driver and Dixon. The final four overs again saw a flurry of boundaries and wickets, and when Vasey bowled Edmondson off the last ball of the innings, Caldbeck had reached 132 for 7, leaving Scotby a target of 121 to retain the trophy.

Scotby started off quickly, but Mike Edmondson reduced them to 31 for 2, after five overs. The introduction of Steve Watson to the bowing line up appeared to have swung the game in favour of Caldbeck.

His five-over spell came at the expense of just 11 runs, and the key wickets of Ridley and Driver. At 74 for 4 after 14 overs, Scotby had to score 47 in six overs with Mark Vasey being joined by Teasdale. The experienced duo reduced the deficit with intelligent running, but the required rate was always growing as boundaries dried up.

A crucial dropped catch saw Vasey stay at the crease, and he duly punished the bowlers with four sixes in three overs to win with an over to spare.

RESULTS

DIVISION ONE: Baggrow 88-8 (S Hudson 25 T Fleming 3 for 17 D Thompson 3 for 19) lost Innovia 89-6 (S Varty 34* J Busby 3 for 18);

Scotby rain Caldbeck Jnrs 76 / 6 (J Brownrigg 45); Wigton 106-8 (M Gillespie 26 M Thompson 24* P Simmons 3 for 18) lost Penrith Schls 141-3 (T Threlkeld 75* J Osbourne 48); Pirelli 140-6 (W Jay 35 A Trickett 31 I Khan 22) beat Burgh by Sands 96-8 ( M Aziz 37 D McMillan 3 for 30 I Khan 3 for 16)

DIVISION TWO: Fantails 110-1 (C Hayes 43 M Burnett 39) beat Cumb Inf 109-6 (A Horne 36 R Barrow 22), Art Esk A 17-4 rain, Civic Centre Stainton rain, Austin Friars Carleton 84-8 (C Reed 18 R Johnson 3 for 16) lost Rockcliffe A 87-2 (R Wharton 32* J Sewell 24 R Johnson 23)

DIVISION THREE: Spadeadam 116-5 (A Lawton 47 O Dunk 39 P Kania 3 for 18) beat Irth Vale 102-9, Naworth Colts 133-7 (C Foster 55* D Ferguson 20 M Slack 3 for 28) beat Wetheral 83-6, Kings Head 54-4 (R Raybould 22*) beat Caldbeck 53-8, Rockcliffe B 62-6 (D Graham 21 C Heap 3 for 11) beat Denton Holme 60 ao, Art Esk B (unable to raise a side) lost Wigton Jnrs, Moorhouse 128-1 (R Holliday 58* G Westmoreland 57*) beat Lanercost 126-5