LANCASTER travelled to Shap Road for the start of the Bank Holiday weekend fixtures without in-form Mike Stevens, who was replaced by debutant Ben Thorne.

Professional Taufeeq Umar also made his debut having been delayed for the first two fixtures.

Lancaster captain, David Heywood won the toss and chose to bat, but a poor start to Lancaster's innings put them on the back foot, with Umar chipping to mid-on and Kendal's professional, Ross McMillan (3-43) managing to beat Jamie Heywood's defences.

Tim Barry held the innings together with good support from Ryan Nelson (30) and Michael Walling (36), but both Nelson and Walling were stumped by wicketkeeper Ikram Ullah, pushing for runs.

Barry (89) continued to the last few overs but was run out, denying him a first Northern League century.

There was a flurry of late wickets but Lancaster reached the target for maximum batting points, finishing on 181-8.

Kendal's innings, in contrast, started very positively with Ullah taking the attack to Lancaster's openers. Kevin Howarth was run out in the third over, but this only invited Terry Hunte to continue the attack.

Hunte (27) was caught and bowled by Barry from a leading edge, trying to work the ball to leg.

Barry (1-29) had a number of appeals turned down before McMillan started taking the attack to himself and Walling.

Walling (1-30) showed great character to dismiss McMillan, having been hit for three consecutive sixes.

Even though Lancaster kept taking wickets, the game kept getting away from them.

Ullah (73) was out to Danny Milligan (1-49) with still 40 required, but new recruit Donovan Du Plessis (23 not out) guided Kendal home.

* LANCASTER 2nd's had a good win as they reached Kendal's total of 80, for the loss of four wickets, Rob Childs picking up 4-24 and Phil Sparrow 3-15.

Netherfield 236-6
Lancaster 182-7
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LANCASTER looked to make amends to their Bank Holiday weekend, travelling to Netherfield.

David Heywood won the toss and decided to bowl on a very good wicket, considering the weather the ground had received.

Danny Milligan bowled Chris Parry in his first over, giving Lancaster the perfect start.

Milligan and Liam Moffat were unable to make any more breakthroughs, as Craig Walmsley and Australian professional Callum Ferguson opened their shoulders.

With 60 on the board in the first 10 overs, taking pace off the ball helped somewhat.

Lancaster's Test professional, Taufeeq Umar (1-48) took the wicket of Walmsley (63) thanks to a fine catch by Jamie Heywood at long on.

Ferguson (83) was joined at the crease by youngster John Huck, and the two worked the ball around against some good bowling from Umar and Barry.

The introduction of Michael Walling's off-breaks put pressure on both batsmen, and when Rob Childs took an excellent catch at long-on to dismiss Ferguson (83), the professional was left just short of a century.

Milligan was brought back on at the other end and bowled Ben Haddrick (two) and had Ollie Hill (four) caught at mid on by Walling.

Meanwhile Walling dismissed Tommy Prime to keep the pressure on.
Huck (53 not out) reached his fifty in the last over with a six to the pavilion off Milligan, Netherfield reaching 236-6 off their 50 overs.

Lancaster's reply stuttered again with Ryan Nelson driving to gully, where Chris Miller snaffled a catch.

Mike Stevens and Umar put together a handy partnership before Stevens slipped whilst sweeping, top edging to Ferguson at fine leg.

Barry also gave good support to the professional timing the ball well down the ground.

Off-spinner Miller bore the brunt of Umar's attack, as the professional hit six sixes in as many overs, bringing Lancaster back in touch with the run rate.

But when Umar (74) tried to guide one down to third man and nicked to keeper Tommy Prime, it was always going to be an uphill struggle.

Scott Clement bowled well and in good areas making it hard for Lancaster's batsmen, and even though Jamie Heywood (21) and Michael Walling took a brief attack to Netherfield the total was always too many, Lancaster finishing on 182-7.

* LANCASTER 2nds also had to settle with a losing draw finishing on 107-9 chasing 120.