JWright

Last updated 01:00, Friday, 14 September 2007

A SUPERB century from Callum Moffat saw Workington hang on to their lead at the top of the North Lancashire & Cumbria premier division and be crowned champions on the final day of the season.

Workington defeated Keswick by 118 runs to secure the league crown at the Ernest Valentine Ground, and pip last season's champs Cockermouth by two points.

Batting first Workington declared on 279-6 with two overs of their innings remaining. Moffat led the attack from the beginning, opening the batting and bagging 108 runs in 123 balls.

He shared a great third wicket partnership with Aussie pro Simon Beare of 116 and Beare went on to make 58 before being bowled out.

Matthew Gorley was there at the declaration, unbeaten on 49 as the Keswick bowling attack had no answers to the aggressive batting style of Workington.

In reply, Keswick hung on until the 44th over but then succumbed on 161, their main resistance coming from opener Richard Webster who made 66, assisted by John Mason with 30. Gorley and Beare featured again for Workington, but this time in the bowling stakes.

Cumberland pace bowler Gorley finished with figures of 4-52 with Beare taking 3-19.

Cockermouth have pushed Workington close all season, as they tried to retain their crown but were just pipped to the post despite bagging maximum points in their final game at relegated Wigton.

Wigton batted first but struggled to get going before K Shafi came to the crease and boomed 101 to keep them in the match, closing on 173 all out. Replacement pro for Cockermouth M Haroom took the best wicket haul with 4-37.

In reply Cockermouth started well with opener and captain Gareth White hitting a fine 83 but the middle order faltered and it was Chris Hodgson, unbeaten on 27 that bro ught them home to 178-8 and the 18 points to push Workington.

Glen Liddle was Wigton's most effective bowler with four wickets to his name, for the loss of 56 runs.

Back in the top flight, Cleator finished third in the league, with an 18-point haul at Dalton after bowling the south Cumbrians out for 100 exactly. David Bell picked up 4-20 for Cleator, with David Rooney chipping in with 3-13.

Cleator pro and opener Paul Duffett then carried his bat for 59, in partnership with Darren Clark, who remained unbeaten on 42 as they brought their side home on 104-1.

Bad light stopped play at Carlisle in their last game of the season, at home to Haverigg. The home side opened the batting and were dismissed for 143, Graeme Ion running out of partners, on 33 not out, with opener Marc Brown earlier posting 28.

Haverigg pro Sridharan Sriram finished his season in style with a six wicket haul, for the loss of 29 runs. Then, Haverigg were 130-9 when the light forced the game to be abandoned in the crucial stages, Sriram top scoring with 35.

Upul Saeed returned 4-40 for Carlisle, with Lee Readitt picking up 3-49.

Lindal Moor, already relegated, lost their last clash at Millom where they were dismissed for 171, despite a 66 from Maduwantha.

Ian Swarbrick had the best wicket haul for Millom with 4-28. Millom replied with 173-6 to clinch the game, Mark Wilson top scoring with 59.

Duddon SC hit form on the last day with a one-wicket win over Furness, after they dismissed their visitors for just 90 runs thanks to a five-wicket haul for Graham Stevenson, for the loss of 17 runs. In reply Duddon were 91-9 to just sneak the win.

There were celebrations for Whitehaven as they were promoted back to the top flight, after a tie at Kirkby gave them enough points to finish runners-up in the first division, behind champions Penrith.

Kirkby batted first and were all out for 212 despite the best efforts of Steve Dawson and Tom Crowe, who all returned four wicket hauls, for the loss of 41 and 64 runs respectively.

Whitehaven then came back and captain Jon Bruce put in another great innings, finishing unbeaten on 89 as he steered them to 212-6 to claim enough points to take second from Vickerstown and promotion.

Champions Penrith finished on a high, with a seven-wicket win over Appleby Eden.

Cleator Seconds (239-8) bagged a winning draw over Ulverston (150-8).

Keswick Seconds were all out for 119 when they clashed with Egremont, John Price making 38 and Andrew Appleby 35. Egremont then hit back with a winning total of 120-4 with Stephen Hodgson unbeaten on 31.

Workington Seconds succumbed to Lanercost in their last match as they were all out for just 45 in reply to Lanercost's 116. It was a day for the bowlers as Dan McDermott claimed 3-9 for Workington and Mike Wardlow picked up 4-7 and Kieran Foster 3-16 for Lanercost.

BAE (123ao) lost to Vickerstown (125-5) who finished the season in third.

Seascale (119-6) won the division two title at the second time of asking with victory over Vickerstown Reserves (118ao).