FURNESS closed the gap on North Lancs and Cumbria Cricket League leaders Workington to just two points with victory in a rain-affected match.

Workington won the toss and put the home side into bat in a match reduced to 80 overs. With 58 from Mark Daly, and 55 from professional Seth Rance, Furness were 212 for 7 when overs ran out.

After tea, the West Cumbrians had to rely on their pro Kaushalya Gajasinghe, but his 57 could only see them get to 179 for 9 in their 50 overs, so it was 10 points to Furness and four to Workington.

No other games were played in the top flight on a day when the effects of overnight rain on Friday hit play across the county.

Whitehaven’s Division One home game against Haverigg was also reduced to 80 overs.

Taking first knock, Whitehaven were all out for 115. In reply Haverigg were soon 10 for 3 but made some recovery due to Robbie Evans’ 35, but were four short of the win when overs ran out with the Poolsiders on 112 for 9.

Batting first in their Division Two match against Kirkby, Dalton struggled, and were all out in the 35th over for 107.

Matthew Holmes, batting at number seven , top scored with 26 not out. Kirkby’s Mike Etchells returned 5 for 29 in 10 overs.

A very positive reply saw the Kirkby openers, James Thornton, 50 not out and Paul Fugler, 36 not out, take their side to a ten-wicket win in 24 overs, putting on 108.

Division Two leaders Furness were in first against Egremont and were held up by some good bowling.

Opener George Smith, with 44, kept the score ticking over and with 25 from Joe Amison and 23 from Harris Woods, the visitors were 130 all out in the 39th over. Egremont’s Coady Scott took 5 for 18 in 8.4 overs.

In reply Egremont openers, Shaun Bostock, with 37, and Coady Scott, 14, gave their side a steady start but there were seven ducks in the nine remaining batsmen and Egremont were all out in the 22nd over for 94. Ryan Tyson took 7 for 19 in 8.2 overs.

Division Three leaders Lindal Moor A ran up a massive 274 for 4 in their home game with Egremont A, Chris Scrogham making 163 and Lee Stephens 49.

Egremont were never up with the required run rate and were 137 all out.

Lee Cruden top scored with 30. Moor’s Megan Smith took 3 for 18 in 6 overs.

Put into bat by Haverigg A, Whitehaven seconds were never comfortable and were all out in the 36th over for 76, Craig Armstrong taking 4 for 21.

Haverigg also found run-making difficult but got to 80 for 6 to win in the 33rd over, mainly due to Gav Chesher’s unbeaten 33.

There was a major shortage of runs at Rainey Park where Millom batted first and were all out for 63.

In reply Vickerstown also struggled and were dismissed for 58.