Carlisle pro fit to take on Keswick tomorrow

A hamstring injury to the Barbadian restricted the Carlisle attack when they were defending a total of 219-6 at title challengers Furness.

In the end, Carlisle slipped to a six-wicket defeat in the North Lancs and Cumbria League’s Premier Division.

With Greaves a doubt this weekend, Carlisle had been looking at the prospect of having to recruit a substitute professional. But the all-rounder has now been passed fit to play.

Secretary Mark Davidson said: “We were disappointed to lose and, despite a good performance with the bat, we were probably 30-40 runs light.

“I thought we played their pro Seth Rance well and were unlucky with the injury to Justin which then subsequently weakened our attack.

“Again, we have played well against one of the championship favourites following the tense battle with Workington the previous Saturday.”

Skipper Marc Brown had won the toss for the visitors and had no hesitation in batting first.

However he succumbed to a fourth-ball duck, trapped lbw to Kiwi international paceman Rance from a vicious late swinging yorker.

Despite Rance’s menace in the searing heat, young batsmen Ben Davidson (68) and James Dawson (33) rebuilt the innings with some quality counter-attacking.

Greaves completed a stylish 71, backed up by Alex Raybould (24), to lift the visitors’ total to 219-6 on a batsmen-friendly Furness wicket.

Peter Lawson was the pick of the Furness attack with 3-41 while Rance returned figures of 1-71 from 14 overs.

Carlisle’s need for early wickets was quite literally hamstrung by an injury to Greaves, who had to hand responsibility to his young colleagues.

They toiled willingly, but the home side’s impressive top-order put together a series of partnerships that edged them comfortably over the line with overs to spare.

Workington Reds striker Nathan Waterston (61) and Mark Daley (44) were the pick of the Furness batsman.

With Greaves passed fit he remains in the Carlisle side, which sees two other changes.

Dan Gomersall returns from Leeds University as a wicket-keeper and batsman of quality, taking over from Andy Trickett.

Jordan Whinn is available again, so he comes in for Tom Lydiate.

While Furness were staying unbeaten, Workington retained top spot with a comfortable win over Cleator.

They bowled-out their visitors for 111 after Calum Moffat’s 94 had lifted them to 238-5.

Keswick avenged their CN Cup defeat a week earlier by beating Wigton by 17 runs in the league.

An unbeaten 54 in the middle-order by James McGown proved crucial for Keswick as they were able to recover from 127-7 to 212-9.

John Reed was Wigton’s most successful bowler with 3-57.

McGown was actually the man who claimed the all-important wicket of Mike Slack to wrap-up the win.

Opener Slack was last man out for 123, clean-bowled by McGown.

Glen Weightman was the most successful bowler with 4-39.

In the other Premier Division game, Cockermouth lost at Dalton by five wickets after being bowled-out for 120.

Cockermouth are now bottom of the league, two points behind Dalton and tomorrow they host title-chasing Furness.

Wigton entertain the league leaders Workington while Dalton host Cleator.

In the Northern League, Penrith’s revival continued when they won by two wickets on a tricky track at Morecambe.

They restricted their hosts to 127-9 in 50 overs with four wickets apiece for Greg Hall and Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

But it wasn’t easy in replying as they needed a master-class in concentration from professional Rajapaksa who was 71 not out when they reached 129-8.

The good form continued on Sunday in the T20 when they won at Kendal by eight wickets.

They held their hosts to 97-9 with Jonathan Osborne taking 4-16.

Then, a magnificent knock from Rajapaksa saw Penrith cruise to victory. He only faced 41 balls but hit 74 not out which included 12 fours and three sixes.

They were 100-2 in 12.2 overs and the new-found confidence will serve them well when they travel to Kendal again, this time in the league.