One week on from the start of the Eden Valley Cricket League season, sweaters and thermals were ditched, grounds had dried out and scores in general reflected the arrival of summer.

Carlisle’s second-team, who were asked to bat first by Rockcliffe, made 192/5. There was consistent batting throughout with Jordan Whinn (44) and Olly Bradley (46) Carlisle’s top-scorers.

A depleted Rockcliffe (123/7) battled hard with skipper John Wharton (54 not out), but never threatened.

Kirkby Stephen (255/6) posted a formidable score, which featured an opening partnership of 179 between Thomas Askew (142) and James Bowman (59); Phil Richardson (3/28) was best with the ball.

Caldbeck (117/10) struggled in reply; only Rob Benn (52) and Phil Richardson (31) made significant contributions. Julian Cann (4/32) and Rob Hook (3/19) were the pick of the bowlers.

Stainton, having put Braithwaite in to bat, were on the receiving end of a Dan Pyke (123 not out) blitz as the visitors reached 249/3. Stainton (69/10), with only Adam Jakeman (29) resisting, were defeated heavily again.

Temple Sowerby (167/10) owed much to skipper James Nicholson (82) for their total; Simon Wardlow (4/24) was best with the ball.

Lanercost (168/2) made short work of their target, which was reached with 17 overs to spare. Craig Foster (65), Jon Robley (42 not out) and Ross Wilson (33) inflicting the damage.

In Division One, Edenhall (188/9) inflicted a heavy defeat on Gamblesby by 164 runs; Tom Langridge (57) and Matthew Wilson (41) top-scoring. Gamblesby were then bowled out for 24; Jamie Armstrong (5/7) and Andrew Gate (5/13) responsible for the rout.

Carlisle’s 3rds (194/6); Charlie Hutchinson (59) and Carl Bell (56) must have thought they had put together a competitive total. But Scotby (195/1) raced to victory with James Swann (118) and Andrew Jefferson (42) again in great form.

Nunwick (145/10), with Jack Peet (69 not out), were again defeated; Dean Thomlinson (6/22) and George Johnston (3/38) best of the bowlers. Wigton (150/8) were in trouble chasing but the arrival of Lewis Little (73 not out) changed things yet again.

Langholm (161/7) played out an exciting game at home to Wetheral (151/7) taking the major spoils; Nicky Piszczykiewicz (69) best for Langholm.

Marco Oliver (62) kept Wetheral in the hunt but steady, tight bowling from Langholm’s bowlers saw them keep the visitors short of their target.

Division Two has again been dominated by Carleton’s Shaun McDermott who scored his second century of the season.

Carleton (249/5) with McDermott (116) were far too good for a weakened Caldbeck’s 2nds (87/9), winning by 162 runs.

Craig Pattinson (44) battled hard for his side but the bowling of Jim Litherland (3/11), Paul Reay (4/52) and Alex Smith (2/21) proved too strong.

In a high-scoring game at Penrith, Kirkby Stephen (304/8) came out on top, winning by 78 runs.

Joss Warren (93) and Will Morland (49) led the way with the bat; Penrith using 10 bowlers in an effort to stem the run flow.

In reply, Penrith’s 3rds totalled 226/10 with Will Holliday (43) top-scoring. Kirkby, too, used 10 bowlers. Two young sides who allowed everyone to participate, which was good to see.

Appleby’s second-team opened their account with a convincing 129-run win at Irthing Vale.

Appleby (213/9) with new skipper Chris Beckwith (53) and Josh Bellas, a rapid 57 not out at number 10, top-scoring. In reply, a weakened Irthing Vale (84/8) were never in the hunt; Adam Altham (3/21), James Hullock (2/16) and Carl Hodder (2/22) taking the wickets.

Temple Sowerby’s 2nds were unable to field a side and conceded to Lanercost’s 2nds.

The Sunday League had a full programme with wins for Carlisle IV, Lanercost Colts and Penrith IV.

It was a close game between Dumfries (151/4) and Keswick’s 3rds (147/9) with the home side needing a boundary off the last ball. James Little (50 retired) for the visitors and skipper Karl Link (56 not out) for the home side were the best of the batsmen; Danny Armstrong (4/15) best of the bowlers for Dumfries.

There were two century-makers for Penrith IV; Jamie Parker (102 retired) and James Ellis (101 retired) in their victory over Caldbeck Colts.

Charlie Hutchinson (80 not out), completing a superb weekend with the bat, was the match-winner for Carlisle IV (132/4) in their six-wicket win over Wigton’s 3rds (130/7).

Lanercost Colts (80/4) coasted to a six-wicket victory at Langholm (74/10).