Furness were knocked off the top of the Premier Division of the Cumbria Cricket League last Saturday as a superb all-around performance from Simon Beare condemned them to a 91-run defeat at Workington.

Furness asked Workington to bat and soon had them 23-4 which brought Beare to the crease and his 82 from 68 deliveries completely changed the game and with support from Callum Sutton’s 48, the home side finished on 195-9.

Furness pro Sachith Pathirana returned 5-47 from his 15 overs, but his side’s batting was well below par in reply, with wickets falling regularly as they slumped to 68-7 of which Garry Thompson made 39.

Pathirana worked hard for his 37 but the now deposed league leaders were all out for 104 in the 35th over, as Beare finished his excellent game with figures of 6-29.

Carlisle moved to the top of the table with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Lindal Moor, who were reduced to 31-5 after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.

Janith de Silva’s 32 improved matters slightly for the Moor, but they were still bowled out for just 123 as 4-26 from Phil Frazer and 3-23 from Fraser Conn put Carlisle in control.

The hosts’ openers, Ben Davidson and Mike Slack, then made 42 not out and 32, respectively, as victory was secured with 10.2 overs to spare to put Carlisle six points clear at the summit.

Millom fell to a disappointing 49-run defeat at home to struggling Wigton.

The visitors chose to bat first and did well to post 195-3 from their 50 overs, with Matthew Reed and Theo Manihera finishing unbeaten on 55 and 51, respectively.

Sameera Sadamal took all three of the wickets that fell, but despite the Sri Lankan going on to make 48 and Graham Dawson 41, Millom’s chase collapsed as they were bowled out for 146, with Chris Hodgson taking 4-25 for Wigton.

Dalton were also humbled at home as they were defeated by 71 runs by Whitehaven, who posted 188 all out with captain Stephen Holliday top-scoring with 62.

Dalton were then rolled out for only 117 in the 40th over, with Ratnakar Salagala running through the tail in taking 3-3 in his two overs.

Elsewhere, Sam Thompson claimed 3-7 as Cockermouth skittled bottom team Egremont for 58 before 46 not out from Greg Platten helped them to a nine-wicket win in 6.3 overs.

Dan Gaskell took 6-37 as Cleator were bowled out for 107 by Keswick, whose captain Will Atkinson blasted an unbeaten 61 as his side won by eight wickets.