After two weeks of the new season just three teams boast a 100 per cent record in the Cumbria League’s Premier Division.
Carlisle, Millom and Workington lead the way going into the third weekend of matches with the city side probably in the best frame of mind so far.
Their two victories have come against sides who will have generally been though of as title contenders, certainly top four material.
Both Cockermouth and Keswick have been accounted for in satisfying run chases, with Saturday’s win against the Lakesiders particularly pleasing given the state of the game an hour from the finish.
On Saturday Carlisle are at Edenside entertaining Dalton, one of the three sides who have lost both games so far.
However, Dalton did earn a very good win on Sunday in the National Club’s Championship when they beat Wigan by 12 runs.
That will have given them a huge boost ahead of their testing trip to Carlisle who have started the season like a team intent on regaining the championship crown.
Millom beat champions Furness in a Duckworth Lewis-decided clash in south Cumbria but looked a capable enough side on several occasions last year, but lacked consistency.
There’s something of a pecking order developing in the Cumbria League of a top four, a middle four and a bottom four with Millom threatening to break into the quartet at the top.
They go to Keswick on Saturday and that looks like it could be the Match of the Day in the Premier Division.
Keswick lost that tight game at Carlisle on Saturday but are surely delighted by the form of new pro Risith Upamal. Recommended by his long-time predecessor Geeth Kumara, he has started with two unbeaten knocks which have produced over 180 runs.
Mention of Kumara, of course, prompts reference to his return to Cumbria on Monday when he was sub pro for Whitehaven in their Higson Cup win over Cleator. He contributed in full with 61 with the bat and 3-12 with the ball.
He won’t be padding up this weekend when Whitehaven travel to Furness to take on the 2021 League winners smarting from that derby defeat by Millom.
Workington are also searching for consistency after showing promise with a young side on several occasions last season.
They have two wins under their belts and have home advantage over Wigton. The Lowmoor Road side opened with a win at Egremont before losing to Cockermouth.
Without a pro this season, and knocked back in their efforts to recruit an overseas amateur, Cockermouth were relieved to get a win on the board when they were successful at Wigton.
They go to Egremont, themselves happy to get off the mark back in the top flight with a good derby win over Whitehaven.
The other game sees Cleator hosting Haverigg, two sides looking to bounce back from disappointments at the week-end.
Although they got their League season off the mark with a win at Dalton, Cleator lost their Higson Cup game at Whitehaven on Monday, albeit with a weakened side.
Haverigg are still looking for that first victory having suffered early defeats against Furness and Workington.
