DREW Postlethwaite’s unbeaten century may have been in vain, but the Haverigg captain was still enthused by the display from his young team in last Saturday’s 53-run derby defeat at Millom.

Postlethwaite’s unbeaten 116 saw him become the first Haverigg amateur to make a century in a derby match at the home of their local rivals and the first opener in the North Lancashire and Cumbria League to carry their bat, along with joining brothers Lee and Jordan in reaching the magical mark for the first team.

It proved bittersweet though, as Millom’s total of 275 for 8, boosted by 77 from Graham Dawson, which included 10 sixes, proved too great a tally to overhaul before the visitors were dismissed.

Nevertheless, Postlethwaite is optimistic both his individual display and the overall performance of the team can lead to them securing that elusive first win in the Premier Divison soon.

“I’ve missed quite a few games with my friends’ weddings and stuff like that, which has meant me not playing three or four games this year, so hopefully now I can get a good run of games,” said Postlethwaite.

“I’ve been feeling like I’ve been needing a big score like that so far this year after two or three decent knocks and a couple at the back end of last year, and hopefully the floodgates might have opened and I can kick-on a bit now.

“It was a good game. Obviously we had a half-decent start and had Millom 80 for 4 at one point, and if you can get Graham Dawson cheaply then you’re in with a good shout.

“But second half, it was much improved from us; a couple of times this year when sides have got big totals we’ve collapsed under the pressure, but we gave a good account of ourselves and we’ve started to improve.”

Haverigg have picked up 12 points from their past three matches despite defeats against Millom and Wigton, plus another game being abandoned due to rain, and that has meant the bottom side go into tomorrow’s match at home to Lindal Moor just five points behind their opponents.

Dalton, who are at home to Wigton, are just seven points ahead as well, and Postlethwaite is well-aware of how much more positive the outlook could look for Haverigg if they are able to secure victory tomorrow. The youthful nature of the team is emphasised by the fact Postlethwaite, at 25, is the second-oldest player in the team after brother Jordan, with 17-year-old Tom Hawdon and 18-year-old Robbie Evans assuming more and more responsibility in the bowling attack.

“It’s been a bit of a turnaround at Haverigg,” said Postlethwaite. “We’ve only restarted our junior section, but going back five or six years ago we had one of the best junior sections in the county, which is why we have such a young side now.

“Although I’m not scared of saying it, a lot of sides are saying we aren’t good enough and I can agree with them in some aspects. But you’re only going to improve by playing in a standard where you have to strive to be at your best all the time.

“I think we are starting to do that; our fielding displays are a lot better, we’re playing against a better standard of cricketer and we’re playing against a professional every week, which last year in Division One we weren’t.

“Numbers have picked up even just around the senior and second team, which has ultimately made us have to have a third team this year. We’re still well in with a chance of getting out of the situation we are in – starting on Saturday.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division tomorrow, Furness and Millom will battle it out to keep tabs on the league leaders.

All-rounder Dawson is bang in form for Millom, while Furness’s Indian all-rounder Rishi Dhawan showed what he is all about last weekend with a seven-wicket haul to help defeat Whitehaven, and a great game could be in prospect at at Furness Park.

In Division One, second-placed Vickerstown host third-placed Cockermouth and Kirkby aim to keep in the promotion hunt when they play Barrow second team. Furness’ second string are away to leaders Egremont and Hawcoat Park travel to Ulverston.

The day’s Northern Premier League action sees Barrow aiming to build on last week’s draw with St Anne’s when they travel to Leyland.