THE town's top two teams go head-to-head on Sunday, as Barrow and Furness face off in the quest for county honours.

Holders Furness make the short trip to Ernest Pass for the match in the County Cup semi-finals, where a win would take them a step closer to claiming a third piece of silverware in 2018, with the Higson Cup and South Lakes Twenty20 already in the bag.

Scott Pearcey's side overcame Carlisle in last year's final by 37 runs and will no doubt be confident of reaching another showpiece game after their success in knockout competitions already this year.

But Barrow have found form in Northern League Division One in recent weeks, going unbeaten in four matches, which include impressive wins over two of the top sides in Chorley and Netherfield.

Last Saturday's 62-run victory over the league leaders from Kendal was arguably their most impressive result of the season to date, and came on the back of half-centuries from Grant Roelofsen (87) and Toby Mowat (51) in Barrow's innings.

Glen Kermode's side were unable to repeat that the following day against the same opponents in the second round of the Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery Cup, going down by nine wickets, but will be feeling positive nonetheless.

It is all shaping up for an enthralling derby encounter, although the immediate focus for both sides will be on tomorrow's league matches.

Barrow welcome Penrith to Ernest Pass in the Northern League, and will be aiming to get one over on their fellow Cumbrians after having to settle for a losing draw in this year's previous Division One meeting.

The visitors come into the match having lost to Fulwood and Broughton last Saturday, having previous been on a similar run to Barrow.

In the North Lancashire and Cumbria League Premier Division, high-flying Furness face another of their local rivals when they take on Dalton at Furness Park, with Liam Curwen's men going into the match buoyed by recent results which have seen them pull away from the bottom of the table.

That run includes a seven-wicket win over bottom side Haverigg last Saturday, who face an onerous task away to title contenders Cleator in their bid to pull back the 12-point deficit on the side directly above them, Lindal Moor.

Lindal host Wigton, and the other game of the day featuring one of the area's teams sees Millom at home to Whitehaven.

Second-placed Kirkby will aim to keep up the pressure on Division One leaders Egremont when they tackle Vickerstown, while skipper Mike Fugler and his team-mates will be keeping watch on how the table-toppers – who lead by just nine points – fare away to Ulverston as well.

Elsewhere, Hawcoat Park are at home to Workington's second string, while the second teams of Furness and Barrow travel to Cockermouth A and Seascale respectively.

Meanwhile, Furness batsman Sam Dutton helped Cumberland claim their second win of the season in the Minor Counties Championship Eastern Division as they beat hosts Bedfordshire by 160 runs.

Dutton hit an unbeaten 65 in the second innings of the three-day match at Flitwick as Cumberland set the home side a target of 332 to win after declaring on 279 for 7.

However, Bedfordshire collapsed to just 171 all out as Jacques de Toit took 6 for 35. The result lifts Cumberland up to fourth in the table and their next game is away to Northumberland at Jesmond, starting on Sunday, August 19.