The battle to avoid the drop from the Cumbria League’s Premier Division is going down to the wire.
Whitehaven have a one-point advantage over Lindal Moor with just two games each left to play, on Saturday and a week later.
On the face of it Whitehaven have the tougher fixtures, both away, to new champions Furness and at Haverigg while Lindal have two home games with Millom and Wigton.
Whitehaven had been four points clear until Lindal picked up three in a defeat at Cockermouth when they played the game postponed because of COVID earlier in the season.
Lindal had won the toss and elected to field at Sandair, and would be disappointed when they were set to chase the hosts’ 241-8.
That was built on a century opening stand (107) between Gareth White (75) and Alex Grainger (52) with a good contribution further down the order from Tom Norman (40). Lee Hogg was the most successful Lindal bowler with 3-42.
Although opener Jos Edwards went third ballot Sam Sharp, Lindal had plenty of batsmen getting a start at the top of the order.
But only opener Ryan Gilmour (47) and in-form pro Sawan Kankanange (28) stayed around to give Lindal some hope.
Eventually after 50 overs Lindal had only reached 180-9 with White, the eighth bowler used by Cockermouth, returning the best figures of 3-22.
Cockermouth are now involved in a battle with Carlisle for the honour of finishing runners-up.
The Sandair side currently lead by three points – and they will host their Edenside rivals in the final game of the season on September 18.
Table with two games to play: Furness 172, Cockermouth 148, Carlisle 145, Keswick 132, Cleator 120, Workington 116, Millom 103, Wigton 99, Haverigg 92, Dalton 76,Whitehaven 68, Lindal Moor 67.
