Carlisle Cricket Club enjoyed a weekend to remember with important victories on two fronts.

They beat Wigton to consolidate third place in the North Lancs and Cumbria Premier Division.

That was followed-up by a thrilling win over Cleator in the County Cup to give them their first appearance in a major final since 1998.

Secretary Mark Davidson said: “Everyone at the club is delighted in reaching the first major final in many years for the 1st XI.

“The County Cup semi-final was an outstanding advert, it had everything.

"Our professional Justin Greaves was superb for us again but we have such quality in depth these days and all young players, mostly Under-21s, who have come through the club’s development programme.

“We came through another tough test at Wigton on Saturday in the league, and that has cemented us in third place on 81 points ahead of tomorrow’s game at Edenside against Dalton.

“With our 2nd XI also through to the John Scott Cup Final and pushing at the top end of the EVCL Premier Division, the season is providing some highly entertaining, competitive and successful cricket."

An unbeaten 68 from captain Marc Brown steered Carlisle over the line in a rain-affected game at Wigton in the NLCCL Premier Division on Saturday.

Entering the fray with just seven on the board, Brown had to subdue his attacking instincts with both openers, Ben Davidson and Dan Gommersall back in the pavilion.

When Justin Greaves fell to leave Carlisle 27-3, the hosts scented victory, having earlier piled up the runs thanks to fine 50s from Kieran Little and Mikey Hill.

But together with James Dawson (29) and later Jordan Whinn (27), Brown began to rebuild the innings as the chase slowly gathered momentum in pursuit of 213. With the rain clouds gathering, Carlisle needed to be ahead of the revised rate with more than 10 overs of the game to go.

Another aggressive cameo from Alex Raybould added the required impetus and Carlisle were comfortably ahead on Duckworth Lewis as the heavens opened and victory was secured by five wickets.

Carlisle are now on 81 points and in a comfortable third position in the Premier Division, 13 points beyond their nearest rivals Cleator.

It is testimony to their continuing development policy which seems to be exceeding initial expectations at Edenside this season.

Those expectation blossomed again with a thrilling win by five runs against Cleator the following day.

They will go head-to head in the final next month against a Furness side bidding to emulate Workington’s achievement last season in landing a treble.

Already through to the County Cup and CN Cup (formely Higson Cup) finals, they trail Workington by eight points in the league ahead of tomorrow’s key clash between the two at Furness.

Barbadian Justin Greaves, the club professional, was the key figure for Carlisle in their narrow win over Cleator.

He made decisive contributions throughout the game with both bat and ball in front of another sizeable Edenside crowd.

Asked to bat Carlisle lost openers Ben Davidson and Dan Gommersall cheaply, but were revived by a 113-run partnership between skipper Brown and professional Greaves.

Greaves’ classy and inventive 78 provided the backbone to the home side’s innings as Carlisle finished on 188-7, which initially looked a little short of what might be needed.

It was Greaves the bowler who kept Cleator quiet at the start, with eight overs of mean accuracy in two spells yielding only 19 runs. He also dismissed the dangerous middle order pair of James Rogers and James Hocking.

By then, Cleator had recovered from a sluggish start to edge themselves ahead in the run chase.

James Dawson produced a brilliant piece of work to run out Dave Watson while Alex Raybould accounted for the in-form Darren Clark and also the professional Kavindu Kulesekra.

But Cleator ensured that the game would go to the wire as they picked themselves up off the ropes several times to keep in contention.

Veteran watchers at Edenside describe the final 15 overs as amongst the finest passage of play seen in many years, as a nerve wracking finale approached.

But with 10 needed from the last six balls, 16-year-old seamer Henry Walker held his nerve to deny Cleator and spark home celebrations.

Th final with Furness will be played at Cleator on Sunday, August 13.

Tomorrow’s league visitors Dalton are now some 23 points adrift at the bottom and have only one win to their credit.

Carlisle have to make two changes for the home game with Dalton bringing in a couple of promising youngsters.

Batsman Jonathan Davidson has had first team experience but Taryn Reay will be making his North Lancs League debut.

A 16-year-old talented pace bowler, Reay is another product of the club’s youth set-up. They replace Alex Raybould and Henry Walker.

Meanwhile, Carlisle 2nd XI play Keswick 2nd XI in the quarter-final of the EVCL Cup at Fitz Park on Sunday.

Keswick, whose home game with leaders Workington was abandoned without a ball being bowled, travel to Cleator tomorrow.

Wigton have home advantage against a Cockermouth side who are pulling clear of relegation trouble.

In the Northern League, Penrith had the honour of staging the T20 finals – but couldn’t celebrate the occasion by lifting the trophy.

They played Leyland in the morning semi-final and were set a target of 109-8. Jesse Dinnie was their most successful bowler with 3-21.

In reply, Penrith could only manage 93-8 with Eddie Robson top-scoring on 24 not out. Leyland were beaten by Netherfield in the final, bowled-out for 92 in response to the Kendal side’s 127-7.

Top score on the day was 157-7 by Netherfield in their semi-final win over Blackpool, following up by bowling out the Seasiders for 97.

On the Saturday, Penrith had returned to winning form in the league when they beat St. Anne’s by 19 runs.

Australian Jesse Dinnie was the match star for Penrith, top-scoring with 36 in a total of 149-8.

Then he took 4-34 and, with Greg Hall grabbing 5-39, St Anne’s were bowled-out for 130.

Tomorrow, they make the relatively short trip to Kendal to take on Netherfield.