The entire Cumbria League Premier Division programme had to be abandoned yesterday as the forecast rain eventually arrived.
Indeed there was more play than had been expected 24 hours earlier when the predictions were for a wiped out afternoon of cricket.
Two teams – Keswick and Workington – actually declared in their games as they looked to the skies and saw the approaching rain but were unable to see it through.
Keswick had reached 288-4 at Lindal Moor when they stopped after 40 overs but never got the chance to finish the job.
All the batsmen who spent time in the middle got among the runs with James Benson (72), professional Risith Upamal (53no), Will Atkinson (43), Paul Hindmarch (38), Ben Sharp (33) and Glen Weightman (28no).
They also had the assistance of 21 extras, 18 of which were wides, but never got the chance to bowl at Lindal Moor.
At the Valentine Ground Cleator won the toss and asked Workington to bat where Thomas Fox was unfortunately run out for 32 while skipper Matt Lowden went without scoring.
However they were 72-3 at Lowden’s departure and Callum Sutton joined overseas amateur Davis Mills to forge an unbroken stand of 163. Mills completed a fine unbeaten century (102no) while Sutton contributed 69no and with rain forecast Workington declared after 45.3 overs when Mills reached his ton.
Cleator had reached 24-0 off 11 overs before heavy rain caused the game to be abandoned.
Cockermouth probably had most reason to feel thwarted by the rain as they needed to win at champions Carlisle to retain their interest in the title.
Although reduced to 44 overs they had reached a very competitive 218-3 led by Alex Grainger (80), Ryan Carruthers (53no) and Gareth White (50). They also had the help of 29 extras, 18 of them wide.
When play was finally called-off Carlisle were reeling on 51-4 from 18 overs. Matthew Siddall had 2-16 and Sameera Sadamal took 2-20.
Leaders Furness had elected to field against local visitors Millom and would have been well pleased to have bowled them out for 154. Callum High (30no), Graham Dawson (30) and Michael Holmes (27) were the main contributors.
Veteran Peter Lawson was the most successful Furness bowler, taking 3-23 from eight overs. But the hosts never started their reply.
Whitehaven did get the chance to start their reply against Wigton and were going very well when play was finally abandoned.
Wigton had been bowled-out for 133 in 45 overs, getting that far mainly through the efforts of the Little brothers – Lewis (37) and Kieran (32).
Jonathan Sterwart took 3-27 for Whitehaven with professional Terance Warde having 2-11.
Whitehaven didn’t hang about and were 60-1 off 6.2 overs when they couldn’t go on. Skipper Stephen Holliday made 36 off 17 deliveries.
Up the road at Egremont the home side were 30-1 in pursuit of Haverigg’s 150 all out when play was stopped for good.
Umar Waheed (37), Joe Harvey (32no) and Drew Postlethwaite (20) were the leading lights for Haverigg while Egremont’s Jack Thompson returned the remarkable figures of 10-6-7-4. Professional Vathsal Govind took 3-27.
