NATHAN Waterston led the charge as the North Lancs and Cumbria League claimed a big victory over the Ribblesdale League.

The Furness batsman top-scored with 65 off 53 balls as North Lancs took a 73-run win in the Readers Inter-League competition at Cherry Tree CC.

Batting first against their hosts, the visitors lost Wigton opener Nico Watt early on for eight, but Furness duo Mike Gadsden and Scott Pearcey steadied the ship.

Gadsden made 28 and Pearcey 21 before club-mate Waterston came to the crease and took control, hitting three fours and five sixes in his impressive innings.

There was good support from Millom’s Graham Dawson, who compiled a knock of 38 not out from 27 balls – including one four and three sixes – as North Lancs put a total of 217 for 8 on the board from a reduced 40 overs due to rain.

After an hour’s delay as the weather intervened yet again, Ribblesdale began their reply and lost wickets at regular intervals, even though they were scoring at a run a ball.

Furness pace bowler Lawson had opener Joe Marshall caught by Waterston for 24, with partner Asif Fazal trapped lbw for four by Carlisle’s Aussie import Alex Calmy.

Lawson also saw off Jacques Snyden as Lindal’s Ed Waind took the catch, his innings of 29 being the second-top score for the home side.

Lawson ended with figures of 3 for 33 from his five overs, with Calmy taking 2 for 39 from six.

Dalton overseas amateur Johannes Diseko was the most economical of the North Lancs attack, taking 2 for 33 from eight overs – including the key wicket of top-scorer Kurt Robinson, caught and bowled for 48 after an innings which included four fours and four sixes from 43 balls.

Dawson (2 for 10 from 2.5) and Lindal’s Mark Daly (1 for 28 from five) also contributed.

Dawson wrapped up the innings with the dismissals of Stuart Maher and Andreas Sudnik as North Lancs dismissed Ribblesdale for 144 and triumphed by 73 runs.