FURNESS’S hopes of catching Workington in the North Lancs and Cumbria League title race are over.

Despite Furness beating Dalton on Saturday, Workington’s victory over Keswick means they retain the Premier Division crown. That means the anticipated all-or-nothing top-versus-second final match of the season at Workington this Saturday will not have as much significance attached to it.

Winning the toss and batting in their last home game of the season, Furness were back in form against Dalton. Mike Gadsden made 103 and Liam Gribbin 57, seeing them to a massive 290 for 6 in their 50 overs.

Dalton’s batting was disappointing apart from professional Madawa Warnapura, who made 57 in an all-out total of 145.

Jordan Buchanan, arguably one of the best amateur left arm spinners the league has seen for some time, returned 6 for 27.

Batting first against Keswick, Workington opener Kristian Moffat carried his bat making an unbeaten 142, helping his side to 280 for 6 at tea.

Keswick’s batting line-up, not helped by having so many reserves playing, was again very ordinary, with only skipper Arran Davies going past 20, and were all out for 61 in the 28th over. Workington pro Kaushala Gajasinghe took 5 for 16 in six overs as they celebrated their title success.

There were lots of runs at Edenside where, batting first, Carlisle made 276, only losing three wickets.

Skipper Marc Brown was unbeaten on 82, and Paul Glascott also not out with 66, put on 130 for the fourth wicket. Carlisle’s sub professional George Munsey made 53.

As they have done all season, Wigton made a great effort chasing the big score. Mike Slack made 85, but Wigton lost wickets regularly and were all out for 224. Munsey took 5 for 52 to complete his excellent all-round performance.

Put into bat, Cockermouth put on 84 for the first wicket, and benefited from this good start to have 225 for 4 on the board when the overs ran out.

Opener Alex Grainger and deputy pro MA Gouldstone both made 52, and skipper Gareth White hit 44.

In reply, the Cleator innings was dominated by Darren Clark who made an unbeaten 92 in his side’s 184 for 7, with Cockermouth winning by 41 runs. I understand this latest innings took Darren to past 1,000 runs for the season in all competitions this season.

Millom are favourites to win the Division One title, having beaten neighbours Haverigg.

Millom chose to bat first in the derby, and with 60 from the in-form Danny Fallows, 46 from Mike Wilson, and 45 from skipper Ian Swarbrick, they were all out for 198 in the last over. Haverigg’s Joseph Lovell took 4 for 51 in 14 overs.

Haverigg made a moderate start and 57 from Joe Harvey and 35 from pro Dalton Polius improved matters, but the last six batsmen could only total 26 and the villagers were all out for 143 in the 42nd over. Graham Dawson took 5 for 20 in 10 overs.

Whitehaven ensured the title race will go down to the final day after beating Workington seconds.

Workington were in first and with number eight Paul Mckeown top scoring with 30, and nobody else getting to 20, they were all out for 82 in the 35th over. Whitehaven’s Habib Baloch returned 4 for 38 in 15 overs. Whitehaven lost two wickets, but reached a winning total of 83 in the 20th over.

Stephen Holliday made 39 and professional Mohammad Yasin, 31 not out.

Leaders Millom head to Vickerstown this Saturday, while Whitehaven travel to Haverigg.

Seascale had first knock at Vickerstown, but were always struggling, and were all out in the 38th over for 87. Number 11 Paul Knott top scored with 23 not out.

Vickerstown skipper Gareth Benson took 4 for 22 and Ben Spencer 3 for 6.

Vickerstown made a horrendous start, with the top four in the order making just three runs between them. However, 38 from Dean Litherland and 21 from John Burns steadied the ship, and the Walney side won in the 25th at 91 for 6.Seascale’s Reece Robinson took 3 for 15.

Ulverston decided to bat first at home to Lindal Moor and were held in check by the Moor’s attack.

Skipper Ben Dryden made a battling 42, with good support from Shane Lewis with 25, but Ulverston could only total 99 in 44.2 overs.

Lindal skipper Ed Waind took 6 for 28 in his 15 overs. In reply the visitors went to a comfortable win in the 27th over. Chris Scrogham made 54 not out and Lee Hogg an unbeaten 22 in Moor’s 100 for 3.

Put into bat, a weakened nine-man Dalton side were all out in the 29th over for 104 against Furness, opener Calvin Chapples making 40.

Furness won in just 12 overs making 108 for 1, with Tom Smith making 48, and Jonny Moses 34 not out. There was another good performance from Kirkby as they dismissed home side, Hawcoat Park for 103, and won comfortably making 104 for 5.

An under-strength Cleator A-team were in first at Cockermouth seconds and were all out in 29 overs for 59. Cockermouth’s Andrew Dodds took 7 for 27 in his 15 overs, with the home side winning by 10 wickets in the 13th over.

Haverigg A had first knock in their Division Three clash against Millom seconds and were 129 for 8 at tea. Tony Johnson made 49, and Graham Knowles an unbeaten 38. Millom’s Richard Ivison took 4 for 26. Millom won in the 36th over making 130 for 5, Ivison, making 42 not out, and Thomas Wilkinson 33.

Ulverston won the toss and batted first against Lindal Moor A. With 43 from Rashid Ahmad and 27 from Andrew James, Ulverston were all out in the 40th over for 134. Jos. Edwards took 3 for 16 and Thomas Gregg 3 for 17 giving Lindal control. In reply Moor won in the 27th over making 138 for 1, Andy Baxter, 79, and Thomas Gregg, 50 not out, getting the runs.

In first, Egremont A were all out in the 34th over for 48 against Whitehaven A. Stuart Whitelock took 3 for 4 and Luke Blaney 3 for 15, seeing Haven to a nine-wicket win in the 14th over.

Barrow lost their Northern League Division One match at Netherfield by eight wickets, while the Ernest Pass seconds were defeated at home to Netherfield A in Division Two.