Liam Steele’s half-century helped Dalton ease to a six-wicket victory over neighbours Lindal Moor in the Premier Division of the Cumbria Cricket League last Saturday.

After Lindal were put in to bat, opener Ryan Gilmour (33) and Callum McDougall (28) had a good second wicket stand worth 69 but the visitors’ later batting was disappointing and they were all out for 140.

Lasith Lakshan, with 4-25 and Jordan Woodend’s 3-24 put Dalton on top with the ball and the hosts made a good start to their run chase.

Opener Robert Jones was then run out for 26, but his partner Steele, with 68, and Lakshan’s unbeaten 25 saw Dalton reach their target in the 39th over.

After their shock defeat at Cleator the previous week, leaders Furness got back to winning ways with a five-wicket victory over Whitehaven, although they had to recover from a shaky start to their reply to do so.

Furness’ bowlers were well on top at Whitehaven were bowled out for only 103, with Chase Young’s 40 the solitary resistance, as Josh Shaw and captain Peter Lawson both took three wickets.

However, the hosts’ top order failed to fire as Furness were reduced to 47-4, with Safyaan Sharif going on to take 3-37, before Ryan Griffiths eased nerves in spectacular fashion by smashing 48 not out off just 27 balls, to help his side to win in 20 overs.

Graham Dawson’s 48 wasn’t enough for Millom, as they were thrashed by eight wickets at home to Cleator.

The hosts posted 176-8 in a match reduced to 35 overs per side due to heavy overnight rain, with David Rooney claiming 3-44 for Cleator, who eased to victory with 6.3 overs to spare thanks David Watson’s brilliant 88.

Second-placed Carlisle maintained the pressure on Furness with an easy nine-wicket victory over the surely doomed-to-relegation Egremont, who were bowled out for just 89.

Fraser Conn (3-10) was the pick of the bowlers for Carlisle, who secured victory in the 25th over with opener Ben Davidson unbeaten on 34.

Glen Weightman struck 43 not out as part of Keswick’s 190 all out against Cockermouth, who were subsequently skittled for 86 in reply to lose by 104 runs, with Geeth Kumara taking a brilliant 6-17, while Adam Chambers claimed 5-21 in Workington’s 65-run victory over Wigton.