Last updated 21:36, Wednesday, 20 August 2008

THIRD-PLACED Millom also picked up an 18-point haul and closed the gap on second-placed Cleator to five points, when they defeated Carlisle by six wickets.

Carlisle pro Usman Saeed proved a stumbling block for the Millom bowling attack before he was finally caught out on 54.

The rest of the Carlisle attack struggled to get going and they closed on 130-8.

Millom lost their openers early on but number three Stuart Swallow steadied the ship with a fine 54 and despite being bowled his innings was enough to help Millom on to a winning total of 134-4.

Cleator met their match when they travelled to fourth-placed Penrith and it was the home side who took the spoils.

Batting first Cleator were all out for 194, Simon Wilson top scoring with 48 and Tom Benn unbeaten on 47.

The damage was done by Kris McLean who claimed a four wicket haul, for the loss of 54 runs, with Nick Tuer taking 3-38.

McLean then opened Penrith’s batting with a strong 39 before Alex Atkinson brought them home with an unbeaten 75, on 198-5.

A fine half century from county wicket-keeper Callum Moffat saw Workington gain maximum points and keep on track to retain the North Lancs League title.

The current holders hosted Dalton and put their visitors in to bat first, restricting them to 188-9, only opener Sam Costa putting up resistance with 60 before he was bowled out by Simon James, who closed with figures of 4-60.

Moffat’s innings then put Workington on track before he fell on 52, lbw to Justin Quint. But Matthew Gorley took up the challenge and he saw them home, unbeaten on 32.

Keswick had a narrow one wicket victory to show for their trip to Duddon SC in an extremely low scoring game.

Bowlers were always on top in this clash with Duddon falling for just 53, Keswick pro Dinuka Hettiarachchi claiming 5-8 in a great spell.

In reply, Keswick sneaked home on 54 with one wicket to spare, despite the best efforts of Gary Stevenson, who picked up six victims for just 13 runs.