KESHAN Wijerathne produced a superb all-round display to help Lindal Moor ease their relegation fears with a 79-run victory at home to Millom in the North Lancashire and Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division.

Millom made the most of their decision to bat first and when the home side were reduced to 65 for 4, it seemed as if they had made the right decision. However, 48 from Sam Beckman improved matters.

Then Moor’s pro Wijerathne came to the fore with a knock of 65, containing seven fours and two sixes, which saw his side to 188 all out in the 49th over. Millom’s Paul O’Callaghan was the pick of their bowlers, returning 4 for 55 in 13.4 overs.

The visitors made a disastrous start in reply to be 21 for 4, and only a typical Daniel Mackie innings of 39, with five fours and one six, got Millom to 109 all out in the 32nd over. Wijerathne took 7 for 33 in 10.5 overs to complete his good day.

At the other end of the table, third-placed Furness were involved in a thrilling six-run win at home to Carlisle. Put into bat, Furness lost an early wicket, but 57 from Sam Dutton helped the home side to 188 for 8 from their 50 overs. The Cumberland county batsman was ably supported by Rishi Dhawan (44) and Mike Gadsden (35).

Carlisle made a steady start and when opener Thomas Benn went for 46, the scoreboard read 109 for 4. Then with number seven James Lythgoe making 51 off 56 deliveries, it became a tight finish. But with seven wanted to win off four balls, Lythgoe was caught and his side were 182 all out.

Furness bowler Garry Thompson continued his successful season by taking 5 for 37 in 12.3 overs and Peter Lawson removed three of the Carlisle top order.

Haverigg remain rooted to the foot of the table after a 129-run loss at home to Wigton. The visitors piled on 228 for 8 from their 50 overs and then skittled the Poolsiders for just 99.

Winstone Masakadza’s haul of 5 for 33 in 14.1 overs was not enough to help Dalton avoid a one-wicket defeat away to Workington. Asked to bat first, Dalton found runs hard to come by and were 140 for 7 in their 50 overs.

Workington also found batting difficult. Callum Moffat made 49 but when their ninth wicket fell at 135 it was left to number 11, Lewis Hull, to get his side over the line.

Kirkby’s title hopes in the First Division were dealt a blow as they lost by eight wickets to leaders Egremont, being dismissed for 84 as Coady Scott took 5 for 11 and then seeing the visitors cruise home in 33 overs.

Furness’ seconds won the derby clash with Barrow’s second team by seven wickets. A haul of 5 for 31 for Paul Davey helped bowl Barrow out for 118 and then 60 from George Smith – who also took three wickets – set them on course for victory in 20 overs.

Paul Storey claimed 5 for 42 as Ulverston restricted Workington to 150 all out, but the hosts could only muster 120 in reply in a 30-run defeat. Vickerstown struggled with the bat at home to Seascale, falling to 73 all out batting first and then losing by six wickets.

Hawcoat Park fell to a shock defeat at home to Cockermouth’s second team.

In the Northern Premier League, 58 from Toby Mowat could not prevent Barrow going down by three wickets away to Garstang. The visitors made 170 for 9, but Garstang reached their target inside 45 overs.