As predicted the weather was the dominant presence in the Cumbria Cricket League as the entire programme was abandoned.

Cockermouth probably tried hardest to get-on their game at Sandair against Haverigg but eventually had to concede.

They were looking at the prospect of a 30-overs-a-side game as the umpires had declared play possible, the covers were removed and everything was promising – when it suddenly darkened over again and the rain ensured that the game was abandoned.

So with better weather forecast for the coming week, including Saturday, it looks a bit more promising ahead of what could be a title shoot-out at Furness.

The league leaders entertain their nearest rivals Cockermouth who must win to keep their hopes alive. A Furness win, or even a rain-off would certainly mean it would be the south Cumbrian club’s title to lose!

As they go into the last five games the table looks like this – Furness 142, Cockermouth 125, Carlisle 122, Keswick 121, Cleator 99, Wigton 91, Millom 90, Workington 86, Haverigg 72, Dalton 62, Whitehaven 47, Lindal Moor 46.

One game is still to be played – Cockermouth v Lindal Moor (Sept 5) after Whitehaven v Millom was fitted in on Sunday.

Whitehaven suffered a devastating collapse in their catch-up game and remain deep in relegation trouble. The Cumbria League Premier Division game had been called off last week because of covid in the Millom club.

Whitehaven had been set a challenging total as Millom made 235-6 in their 50 overs, led by professional Primosh Perera who was 119 not out. The hosts hadn’t helped their cause by sending down 29 wides among 39 extras.

Although an imposing target Whitehaven were going well after initially losing Charlie Minshaw on 12 as Steve Holliday (56) and pro Terence Warde (36) took them to 94-1 from 17 overs. But in 12 overs they lost nine wickets for just 26 runs to lose by 115 runs.

Robert Tyson finished with the remarkable figures of 6.2-2-7-6 while Perera took 3-17.

The defeat leaves Whitehaven on 48 points just one ahead of bottom side Lindal Moor who have their own catch-up game at Cockermouth to play on Sunday, September 5.