LANCASTER saw their hopes of a much-needed win dashed by the rain at Lune Road on Saturday.

Having lost the toss Lancaster were asked to bat on a firm and lively wicket. Kendal's opening bowlers got lots of early movement and bounce.

Michael Stephens was first to go, caught behind by ex Lancaster player Lee Sparks from a ball that lifted from just short of a length from Stuart Parkin.

Young Jamie Hurst played well for 39 before being caught at deep mid-off. Jamie Heywood and Luke Phillips failed to trouble the scorers and it was left to the senior pairing of David Heywood and Tim Barry to rebuild the innings and put Lancaster in sight of 200.
Lancaster's captain Tim Barry was again the mainstay of his side's innings scoring 65 only to become another victim for Sparks to a dubious umpiring decision.

The lower order then struggled to build on the foundation set due to another ex Lancaster player.

Ben Simm dismissed David Heywood for 24 caught at short leg, then Mario Olivier caught first ball by Sparks and Billy Akrigg became his hat-trick victim.

That inspired spell meant that Lancaster had to settle for 162.

Kendal opened up with Kevin Howarth who attacked the Lancaster professional Mario Olivier. Charlie Swarbrick twisted his ankle first over and the off spinner Raghavendra Bangalore Vaidyanatheswara took over with immediate success having Howarth stumped by Hurst.

'Raggy' to his team mates then removed Ahsburner to a brilliant catch at gully by Olivier. The Lancaster professional then built up a head of steam and bowled with pace and hostility removing Terry Hunte and Paul Dodds in quick succession.

Kendal were in deep trouble at 55 for 4 and then the heavens opened and the ground was flooded within 30 minutes.

This typified the poor luck that Lancaster had in the first half of the season.