DALTON gave their North Lancs and Cumbria League Division One title hopes a massive boost with victory over rivals Carlisle.

The two teams had beaten the other once in the league this season and, as expected, this was another close battle.

Visitors Dalton had first knock and were made to fight for every run, as they were eventually all out for 155. Their main contributors were skipper Dan Sharpe, with 38, JP Van Aswegen, 36, and Tom Heywood 30.

Carlisle’s Justin Greaves bowled another good spell, taking 5 for 30.

The Carlisle innings was dominated by opener Ben Davidson, whose excellent 70 would normally win a game when chasing 155, but Jon Bell, with 4 for 32, and Tony Butler, 3 for 39, took Dalton to an important, and perhaps vital win.

In the third versus fourth battle at Priory Road, Ulverston batted first and were all out for 148 in 35 overs, Stuart Cooper making 40. Millom pro Saliya Saman took 4 for 35.

In reply, Millom opener Danny Fallows was unbeaten on 78 and Michael Gill made 51, as the visitors reached a winning 150 for 2.

At Lindal Moor, the home side made 200 for 7 against Workington A, Harris Woods making 37 not out.

Workington’s Stephen Miller made 45, but his side were dismissed for 111, with Lee Hogg taking 4 for 4.

Seascale batted first at Egremont and made 204 for 7 after their 50 overs.

Andrew Knott top-scored with an unbeaten 70, well supported by Robin Sparshott, with 50 and Adam Brown, 36. Egremont’s Craig Roberts bowled a good 15-over spell to take 3 for 47.

Egremont made a bad start, losing their top four cheaply. John-Paul Dixon and Shaun Bostock – with 34 and 33 – led a good fightback but they were all out for 126. Danny Lee took 4 for 41 and Steve Brown Snr 3 for 38.

In the Premier Division, Furness stole a march on title rivals Keswick with victory at Workington, while the Lake District side lost to Cleator.

At Workington, the Furness side were grateful for an important knock of 59 from Garry Thompson which gave them a defendable total of 178 for 9. Martyn Turner took 4 for 31 to give his side a chance to beat the leaders.

Workington would be unhappy with their batting performance though, as only Andrew Ireland, with 39, troubled the visitors’ attack, and the home side crumbled to 115 all out. Spinner Jordan Buchanan, with 5 for 21, and the consistent Pete Lawson, with 4 for 55, got their side the vital 10 points.

At Keswick, the Fitz Park side struggled against Cleator and only 44 from Glen Weightman prevented total disaster, as they were all out for 120. Darren Clark had another excellent return with 5 for 42.

After tea, Cleator were foundering at 52 for 5, but Chris Quin made 50 not out and James Hocking 34 not out to see them home at 124 for 5. Keswick’s Joppy Hodgson returned for 3 for 21.

Haverigg travelled to Cockermouth with a weakened side and were put to the sword by the home professional Fahad Masood, who took 8 for 19 in 13.1 overs as the Poolsiders were 64 all out, Glen Chesher making 27.

Cockermouth went to a comfortable win at 68 for 1 in 15 overs.

Wigton were in first at Whitehaven, but gave a disappointing display with the bat and were all out in the 35th over with only 100 on the board. Mike Hill top-scored with 28. Chase Young, with 4 for 32, and Habib Baloch, 4 for 38, brought about the early tea. Whitehaven reached a winning 102 without loss in only 14 overs, Dave Watson making 77 not out.

Second division leaders Kirkby were at Cleator A and, going in first, batted steadily all down the order and were 209 for 6 when overs ran out.

Rob Fugler top-scored with 58, and Dave Glover took 3 for 44.

Cleator made a steady start but, when Mark Ponticelli went for 33, the innings folded and Cleator were 108 all out. Mike Etchells had a great day with the ball to take 8 for 23 in 12 overs.

At Hawcoat Park, visitors Lindal Moor had first knock to make 129 all out. Kharna Kukreti scored 37. Peter Thompson, 5 for 42, and Callum Muncaster, 3 for 32, did the damage for Hawcoat.

Park coasted to the win, making 134 for 3 in the 27th over. Callum Lucas, 48 not out, Chris Savage, 39, and Peter Harrison, 38, got the runs.

Vickerstown had a good day at Furness Park, putting 232 for 7 on the board at tea. Peter Lee finished on 60 not out and John Burns 58. Adam Birchall took 4 for 34 in 15 overs. Furness A were soon in trouble and were all out for 132 in the 30th over, Matt Roskell taking 5 for 31.

At Lanercost, Cockermouth made 208 for 8 in their 50 overs, Liam Jackson making 55. Lanercost had a poor day with the bat and were all out for 72 in 31 overs.

Andrew Davidson, with 5 for 27, and Matthew Hodgson, 4 for 38, gave their side a comfortable win.

Barrow’s first and second teams came out second best in their Northern League Division One and Division Two games against Blackpool.

Cumberland’s Richard Gleeson helped himself to 8 for 61 as Barrow were dismissed for 130 – 66 runs short of Blackpool’s total of 196 for 8 in 50 overs.

Skipper Daryl Wearing led the fight with the ball for Barrow with 4 for 44 in 15 overs, with spinner Gary Collins taking 2 for 62, as Blackpool’s Stephen Twist top-scored with 78.

Gleeson soon made inroads into the Barrow batting line-up and only Sam Dutton (38) Mike Wellings (22) and Ryan Gilmour (21) got a start for Barrow.

Barrow seconds had to settle for a losing draw against Blackpool A at Ernest Pass. The visitors scored 188 for 9, with Josh Allington taking 4 for 32. Barrow were restricted to 156 for 9 in reply, Allington scoring 42 and Sam Henderson 50 .