Lehiru Dilshan scored his first century for Workington to help steer his side to a five wicket win at Whitehaven in the Cumbria Cricket League’s Premier Division.
With some top batsmen missing it was the perfect time for the Sri Lankan pro to shepherd Workington home after their hosts had posted 218-5.
Coming in at 34-2 in the sixth over he shared partnerships of 51 with Liam Hazzard (21); 69 with Gary Reid (25) and an unbeaten 63 with skipper Matty Lowden.
He finished 110 not out off 134 balls with 12 fours and three sixes to get the visitors to 219-5 off 46.2 overs. Home pro Warde took 3-18 off his 10 overs.
Earlier Whitehaven won the toss, batted and made a great start reaching 129-1 off 30 overs before Dominic Chambers (81) and Warde (44) were both dismissed in successive Ben Scott overs to bring Workington back into the game.
The heat seemed to have effected the Workington fielding and energy levels as a few chances went down.
Jonathan Stewart (47) was run out off the last ball at 218-5. Lowden only conceded 1-18 off his 10 overs and Scott took2-26 off eight.
League leaders Furness were comfortable winners at bottom side Dalton after bowling out their hosts for103 in 35.3 overs. Peter Lawson took 3-18 and Wyll Stanway had 3-20.
Although Furness lost Lewis Gribbin and Liam Curwen with just 25 on the board Nathan Waterston (47no) and pro Promod Maduwantha (39) saw them through to victory on 105-2 in the 22nd over.
Another pro in top form was the League’s longest serving – Keswick’s Geeth Kumara – as he helped his side maintain their close pursuit of Furness.
He was exactly 100 not out off 80 balls, with eight fours and three sixes as Keswick reached 256-5 at home to Haverigg.
Best support came from Will Atkinson (49) and Oscar Link (31).
Under the circumstances Haverigg made a bold response, reaching 205-6 in their 50 overs led by opener Drew Postlethwaite (96no) and pro Sachin Jayawardena (52).
It was generally a good day for the club pros and Millom’s Primosh Perara was another century maker with 104 not out in a total of 199-9 at home to Cockermouth.
But it wasn’t enough as the visitors’ county player Matthew Sempill played a key role in setting up victory.
He took 4-32 and then hit 62 off 44 balls to lay the platform for the win after Alex Grainger (69 )and Gareth White (33) had put on 91 for the first wicket.
There was a bit of a late collapse but they got to 203-7 with 21.3 overs to spare.
Cleator were five wicket winners at home to Lindal Moor after bowling out the visitors for 166 in the final over.
Carlisle’s winless run continued at Edenside where they were beaten by close neighbours Wigton.
Wigton pro Chris Hodgson anchored their total of 171-8 with 75 as their former professional Michael Slack claimed 3-17 for Carlisle.
But Slack was trapped lbw by Johnny Honeyman for a rare duck which seemed to affect the Carlisle response.
Ben Davidson retired with severe cramp but went back to try and steer his side home, battling through to 51no as the wickets tumbled.
Eventually Carlisle were bowled out for 158 with Hodgson completing a good day by taking 3-14 off his 10 overs.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom at Edenside with another successful Ginfest and a very special presentation.
Carlisle vice president Nobby Nearns was celebrating his 90th birthday and at the tea interval it seemed a natural opportunity to present a special birthday cake to mark his many years of involvement at the club.
President Chris Packham and secretary Mark Davidson made the presentation to Nobby who is also a member of the Cumbria County Cricket Club.
