Cumbria got their season underway at last and recorded two wins in the NCCA T20 competition at Toft against Cheshire.
Their opening double header against Northumberland had been washed out and they now lead the Group 1 table.
The matches today against Staffordshire will decide whether they make the later stages of the competition.
Yesterday Staffordsire who the first game against Northumberland by four wickets but lost the second by eight wickets.
Cumbria were convincing winners in both their games against Cheshire – by 72 runs and then by 78 runs.
In the first game Cumbria were put in to bat and at the top of the order there were rapid contributions from Freddie Fallows (38 off 23) and Sam Dutton (60 off 44).
New debutants from Lancashire County Club, the vastly experienced Steven Croft and the youngster Harry Singh didn’t stay long.
Croft was caught at deep suare leg for nought off his third ball while Singh was caught at deep mid-wicket off his sixth delivery for three.
But skipper Michael Slack (38no) off 24 gave the innings late momentum so that they closed on a useful 163-5.
In fact it proved more than enough as Cheshire were bowled out for 91 in 16.4 overs.
Only three of the top four batsmen reached double figures and it was a gradual slide for Cheshire from there.
Sam Perry (14) was caught by Ed Moulton running backwards at mid-wicket off Fallows.
Henry Dobson became Croft’s first wicket for Cumbria when he was trapped leg before and Will Evans was clean bowled by Singh for 30.
Skipper Slack took 3-7 from just 2.4 overs while Croft had 3-22 from four overs and Singh took 2-23 from his four.
In the second game Cumbria won the test and decided to bat first, and this time surpassed their earlier score, reaching 182-6 in their 20 overs.
All the top three got among the runs led by Croft who scored his first half century for the county off 32 deliveries before he was caught at deep extra cover.
Dutton chipped in with 34 this time before he hit a catch straight to mid-on.
Fallows made 26 of 12 balls before he was caught at extra cover. Bits and pieces down the order meant that Cumbria reached 182-6 off their 20 overs. Josh Bryden was the most successful Cheshire bowler with 3-27.
Croft (3-25), Singh (2-7) and Fallows (2-18) put Cumbria in the driving seat and Cheshire needed more than Sam Perry’s 35 and Harry Dearden’s 21.
They were eventually bowled out for 104 in the 16th over.
Carlisle’s Edenside will stage the games today when Cumbria tackle Staffordshire.
