​Riversiders suffer cup KO but remain in contention for title

The Riversiders were beaten by two runs, losing their final wicket with three balls remaining.

Opener Max Winskill was Kendal's top scorer with 33 as they posted 196-8 at the Riverside.

In reply, Lahiru Madushanka's 61 took him past 1,000 runs for the season, and with Nisanth Nithian making 55, last year's winners Garstang looked favourites to reach the final again at 169-4.

However, they lost six wickets for 25 runs as Louis Backshouse finished with 4-54.

In the final Kendal will face Chorley, who defeated neighbours Euxton by 68 runs in their derby clash at Windsor Park.

South African Ruhan Pretorius was the key man. He scored most of the runs in Chorley's 159-5, his 90 included four sixes among 10 boundaries and featured stands of 68 with Miller Childs (42) and 76 with Alfie Dobson (76 not out).

The division two side were then all out inside 24 overs as Toby Johnston claimed 3-12.

Meanwhile, the previous day, Chorley gave their survival hopes in the Northern Premier Cricket League Division One as massive boost and also dented local rivals Leyland’s title hopes.

Their sub-pro – Sri Lankan Geeth Kumara helped them to a 53-run win at Windsor Park. Kumara made 48 as the hosts batted and posted 198-8.

The top score of the day was Sam Oldham's 65 for Leyland but the bowling of Sam Steeple (4-45) and Luca Doyle (4-37) proved crucial for the hosts

Garstang remain in title contention after Saturday’s six-wicket victory over neighbours Longridge at Chipping Road.

​They restricted the hosts to 129 before wrapping up victory with almost 18 overs to spare.

Alex Mason was Longridge's top scorer with 35 after James Whitehead had made 30 batting three.

Lahiru Madushanka and Cory Cater shared 27 of the 33.3 overs and finished with 4-49 and 4-50 respectively.

The battle for promotion in the Northern Premier Cricket League remains intense between Fulwood & Broughton and Euxton.

With Fleetwood 30 points clear at the top, the battle for second place and the last remaining promotion spot promises to go right down to the wire.

Both teams collected victories this weekend which means F&B remain four points clear of Euxton with four games to go.

F&B were comprehensive 153-run victors over Penwortham at Highfield. They dismissed the visitors for a paltry 62 with Robbie Sumner’s 28 the only double-figure score.

Jon Fenton ran amok, taking a superlative 7-20. Earlier, the hosts had posted a sizeable 215 all out. Matt Smith scored a half-century, while Nathan Walmsley took 3-47.

Euxton bowlers also did the business as they dismissed Morecambe for 112 at Balshaw Park.

Nishan Peiris was the star, taking 4-28 from 13 overs to help his men to a 40-run win.

Captain James Bone had earlier rescued his side with a half-century to help lift them to 152-8.

Elsewhere, Preston lost by 11 runs despite making a valiant attempt to chase down Carnforth’s 241-7 at Quarry Bank.

Sajid Patel hit a brilliant 64 off 70 deliveries down the order but the hosts held on for the win. Jaco Beneke had earlier scored a fine 75 for Carnforth.

Talha Patel had taken three wickets.

​Eccleston enjoyed a thumping victory over Fylde at the weekend in the Palace Shield Championship at Doctors Lane.

The hosts dismissed the visitors for just 72 as nobody scored more than 13 for Fylde, who were all out in 35.2 overs.

Jadeja Edwards imp-ressed with the ball, taking 4-38.

In reply, captain Thomas Foster then carried his bat for 28 as victory was sealed at 73-3 in 15 overs.

Ecc move above Fylde into eighth place with three to play.

Vernon Carus enjoyed a five-wicket victory over Garstang 2nds at The Riverside.

The home side looked on course for a big total after Michael Wellings (41) and Tom Wells (50) put on 93 for the opening wicket.

But they both departed within a matter of moments of each other and Garstang then lost their last eight wickets for 46 runs.

Vernons slipped to 61-5 in reply but an unbeaten partnership of 80 between David Fisher (51) and Toby Leach (48) guided them home.