Vickerstown gave their survival hopes in Division One of the Cumbria Cricket League a massive boost last Saturday, as they defeated Kirkby by two wickets in a thrilling match at Rainey Park, with skipper Gareth Benson starring with bat and ball.

Put in to bat after losing the toss, Kirkby batted well and with an unbeaten, chanceless 87 from captain Paul Fugler helping his side to 187-9, with Michael Etchells contributing 36 from the middle order.

Gareth Benson took 4-39 for Vickerstown, whose run chase got off to a shaky start, as they were reduced to 48-4.

However, Benson repaired the damage with 73 off just 68 balls and he was well supported by Andrew Janes’ 26, in a fifth-wicket stand of 96.

The Walney side then lost quick wickets, and the ninth-wicket pair of Jack Litherland and Luke Ivison were left to make nine runs, which they managed in a nail-biting finish.

It was just Vickerstown’s second win of the season and it moved them to within one point of second-bottom Workington 2nd XI, who were hammed by ten wickets as leaders Haverigg.

Workington’s young team were no match for the Haverigg attack and were all out for 36, as Lahiru Jayakody took 3-6 and Liam Ford 3-8 before the hosts’ opening pair, Glenn Chesher (20*) and James Parminter (12*) knocked off the runs in six overs.

Furness 2nd XI stayed level on points with Haverigg after Elliot Maxfield took five wickets to help them to a comprehensive 119-run victory at Ulverston.

Furness chose to bat and with 54 from opener Bradley Chapples and Sam Hilton’s 43, they were all out in the final over for 179.

Paul Storey returned 4-58 for Ulverston and Samson Storey 3-32, but the hosts were very disappointing in reply as they collapsed to 60 all out in the 21st over. Maxfield was outstanding in taking 5-18 and Luke Shaw also did the damage with 4-28.

David Muncaster struck a superb 77 as Hawcoat Park comfortably claimed a four-wicket victory on their travels at Seascale.

The hosts were bowled out for just 134, with only a defiant 39 from No.8 Greg Crawford getting them into treble figures as captain Tom Stanwix and Callum Muncaster took four wickets each.

Opener David Muncaster then led the way in reply, as he struck ten fours and three sixes to help Hawcoat to victory in just the 26th over.

Ryan Gilmour’s five-wicket haul helped Lindal Moor 2nd XI to defeat Cockermouth 2nd XI by eight wickets at Pennington Lane.

Cockermouth were skittled for just 97, despite captain Andrew Dodds doing his best to prop up his side’s innings with 56.

Gilmour took 5-31 and Bradley Stephens 4-25 for Lindal, who chased down their target within 19 overs thanks to 43 from Laura Marshall and 35 not out from Lee Stephens.