FURNESS started the North Lancs and Cumbria League season in impressive form with a 10-wicket destruction of Whitehaven, writes COLIN BICKERSTAFFE.

The defending Premier Division champions dismissed the West Cumbrians for just 84 in the 38th over after the visitors won the toss and opted to bat.

Only Al Cahill, with 53 not out, could cope with the Furness attack as Garry Thompson, 3 for 13, new professional Seth Rance, 3 for 26, and Peter Lawson, 3 for 31, did the damage. In reply, Furness made 85 without loss in only 16.3 overs, with Ryan Griffiths making an unbeaten 55.

Wigton batted first in their match at Cockermouth, and made 200 for 8 in their 50 overs, Chris Hodgson taking 5 for 57.

In reply, Cockermouth went to an excellent win at 201 for 9 in the 46th over, Theodore Valeri making 112.

Workington won the toss at home to Cleator and asked the visitors to bat. Cleator had to work hard for runs, but with 53 from G Koopman, they were 163 for 7 at tea.

In reply, Workington skipper Callum Moffatt made an important 79 to see his side get the win at 164 for 5 in the 40th over.

Dalton’s return to Premier Division action resulted in a 122-run defeat at home to Keswick.

Millom enjoyed a great start to the Division One season as they beat Carlisle by 27 runs at Edenside.

The visitors were all out for 144 in 47 overs. It was good to see Ian Swarbrick playing again after illness, and he celebrated with 50, and had good support from Graham Dawson, with 38.

Carlisle’s reply was disappointing as they slumped to 127 all out, of which Paul Glascott made 57. Dawson completed a fine day’s work with 4 for 25 and Paul O’Callaghan took 3 for 27.

Haverigg also got off to a winning start with an 80-run triumph over Workington seconds at Poolside.

West Indian Dalton Polius made an impressive debut, making 106 not out, and with good support from the Postlethwaite brothers, 44 from Drew and 31 from Jordan, Haverigg were 246 for 4 when overs ran out.

In reply Workington were all out for 166, mainly due to Liam Hazzard’s 52, while Connor Penrith bowled well to take 4 for 25 for the Villagers.

Lindal Moor won their derby clash at Ulverston thanks to a fantastic all-round effort by Mark Daly. He made 60 and skipper Paul Wilcock 49 as Moor reached 224 for 9. Daly then destroyed the hosts with the ball, taking a career-best 9 for 15 as Ulverston were dismissed for 84.

Kirkby just failed to win at Seascale in one heck of a game which saw almost 480 runs scored.

Put into bat, Seascale made 240 for 8 in their 50 overs. Robin Sparshott top-scored with an unbeaten 88, with good support from Andrew Knott, with 50, and Jack Stubbings, 37 Kirkby’s Mike Etchells returned 3 for 66.

After a moderate start, the Kirkby middle-order made a great recovery. Etchells hit 65, Mike Fugler 60, Tom Marshall 30, and Paul Bradley 24 not out, as they just failed to get the win, being stuck on 237 for 8 when the overs ran out. Danny Lee grabbed 3 for 54 in his 15 overs.

Dalton seconds lost their Division Two opener at Egremont. New signing Dominic Chambers top-scored with 138 as the home side piled on 249 for 8. In reply, Dalton struggled and were all out for 88 in the 38th over. Chambers took 4 for 30, Shaun Bostock 3 for 11, and Matthew Holmes 3 for 32.

Cal McDougall made 109 as Lindal Moor A beat Furness seconds at Pennington Lane. The home side rattled up 239 for 6 in their 50 overs, while Furness were all out for 164, V Raj making 69.

Hawcoat Park made 187 for 7 at home to Cockermouth, and restricted the visitors to 154 for 8 in reply. Vickerstown coasted to a 10-wicket win at Cleator A.

Barrow earned their first Northern League win of the season with a four-wicket victory at Preston.

Daryl Wearing took 4 for 33, Amjad Khan 2 for 28 and Gary Collins 2 for 42 as the hosts were dismissed for 129.

Toby Mowat’s side reached 130 for 6 in reply, with Khan hitting an unbeaten 28 and Sam Dutton 20. Barrow A lost their Division Two match against Preston by 87 runs.