By Michael Latham
Neil Bradley made a fighting 46 for St Annes
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Kendal captain Chris Miller bowled his side to a thrilling victory by 21 runs over Lancashire Colts at Shap Road.
The Cumberland County off-spinner took five for 41 from 22.5 overs to dampen the Colts' fine start to their campaign in the Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls).
After fine wins over Fleetwood and champions Leyland the Colts must have fancied their chances of a hat-trick of opening victories as they bowled out Kendal for 135.
Kiwi World Cup player Jamie How, on his Kendal debut was one of leg-spinner Mattie McKiernan's seven wickets as the young leg-spinner destroyed the home batting with a spell of 7/41 from 12.5 overs.
New Zealand World Cup player Jamie How on debut for Kendal (photo courtesy Richard Edmondson)
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How was bowled for 20 off 49 balls and Kendal relied on maestro Terry Hunte, who made 55 off 67 balls including 11 fours for setting a competitive total.
Wicketkeeper Gary Baker battled through 48 balls for 22 and was the only other Kendal batsman to reach double figures as McKiernan spun his magic spell.
The Colts struggled against Miller, who opened the bowling with Stu Parkin and only Barrow's Liam Livingstone lasted long. Livingstone made 35 off 75 balls before he was caught by Gareth Ashburner off Nick Lewthwaite.
Lewthwaite came into the attack as second change and collected 3/28 as the Colts were 114 all out in the 46th over.
In the LCB Lancashire Cup St Annes suffered a shock first round knock-out at the hands of Saddleworth League side Uppermill at Vernon Road.
Uppermill's opening bowler Matt Taylor claimed the wickets of Test players Atiq Uz-Zaman and pro Dinuka Hettiarachchi in successive balls to put the skids under the home side.
But for Neil Bradley's fighting 46 St Annes would have been in even worse trouble as they were dismissed for 137, Michael Brooks taking 3/33.
Uppermill's players celebrate the dismissal of St Annes pro Dinuka Hettiarachchi
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Uppermill pro Imran Aslam destroyed the St Annes bowling with a superb innings of 75 before he was caught in the deep by Atiq. The Pakistani first-class cricketer, formerly the pro for Glodwick hit seven sixes and dominated a second wicket stand of 82 with Brooks who was 22 not out.
St Annes youngster Jake Sunderland bowled superbly to claim 4/29 but Uppermill were well on the way towards their target when rain halted play with the visitors 123/4 after 25 overs. The visitors were declared winners under the Duckworth Lewis method.
Imran Aslam hit 75 in Uppermill's victory over St Annes
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It was first round day in the ECB National Club Championship and eight Northern League clubs were in action, with mixed results.
In the only all-Northern League tie Morecambe defeated Netherfield at Woodhill Lane after Messrs Duckworth and Lewis were called into action again.
A depleted Morecambe side made 208/8 in 44 overs against Netherfield with Danny Welbourne hitting 63 and Ryan Pearson 72 not out. Netherfield were 88/9 when rain stopped play, Gert Maartens claiming 5/34.
Blackpool lost by 56 runs at Bolton League Farnworth Social Circle despite restricting their hosts to 157/5 with skipper Paul Danson taking 3/22. Blackpool were dismissed for 101 in reply.
And League Champions Leyland were defeated by four wickets at Bolton League Bradshaw after being bowled out for 133 at the Rigbys.
Visitors Carnforth bowled out Liverpool Competition Premier Division Highfield for 191 but after reaching 36/0 they lost their last ten wickets for 50 runs to lose by 105 runs.
Fleetwood lost at home to Bootle after being restricted to 130/8 in a match reduced to 40 overs per side at Broadwater, Ryan Smith making 35, the visitors winning with 25 balls to spare despite James Wilson taking 3/28.
Successes were recorded by Darwen, an outstanding ten wickets win over Neston in a rain-reduced game at Birch Hall and Preston who won by two wickets at Wavertree. Lancaster defeated Alder despite being bowled out for 96 at Lune Road, dismissing the visitors for 50 in reply.
Furness Building Society Northern Premier Cricket League (incorporating Readers Cricket Balls).
FIRST DIVISION SCORES
Kendal v Lancashire Colts
Kendal (15pts) defeated; Lancashire Colts 3pts
Kendal 135 (T Hunte 55, M McKiernan 7-41), Lancashire Colts 114 (C Miller 5-41)
