FURNESS began the North Lancs And Cumbria League cricket season in convincing fashion with an emphatic 268-run hammering of Cockermouth.

A league debut century of 108 from ex-Barrow CC player Sam Dutton and 59 from opener Lewis Gribbin enabled the home side to compile a massive 50-overs total of 325 for five in Saturday’s opening game.

And Furness needed less than 13 overs to complete the job as their New Zealand professional Seth Rance took five for 28 and his new-ball partner Pete Lawson four for 25 as the visitors were bowled out for just 57.

Defending champions Workington also started their Premier Division campaign with an easy victory, as they thrashed Wigton.

Also in the top flight Dalton lost a low-scoring game at Cleator, while in Division One Haverigg got their campaign off to a winning start as they triumphed at Ulverston.

The Poolsiders made 204 all out before dismissing the home side for just 62.

Elsewhere in the first division, there were also wins for Lindal Moor and Vickerstown.