By Nigel Clubley

The opening weekend of Cumbrian junior cricket in 2009 produced some high scoring matches and some enthralling finishes.

Highest score of the weekend was set by Penrith Gold under 13s as they hit 179-5 against Nunwick with J McNaughton retiring on 31, M Golden retiring on 30 and Richard Sykes scoring 28

Carlisle Green and Great Corby have both enjoyed good success in recent years and Corby under-13s came out on top on this occasion with Dan Swann leading the way with an unbeaten 31.

Matthew Hawley had scored an equally impressive 32 in Carlisle's innings.

Nearly 300 runs were scored at Appleby where Wigton were the visitors.

The match was arguably won as a result of the pace and accuracy of Wigton bowler Jackman who only conceded 12 runs in his four overs - a superb effort in the context of such a runfest.

At Lanercost, Carlisle Blue under-13s batted well and posted a good score of 112 with Litherland in fine form.

The hosts began their innings in hail and rain but failed to score quickly enough in the conditions, finally running out of overs.

Cleator's Jo Riley was the matchwinner at Cockermouth taking three wickets and hitting two sixes in his score of 33, while Cockermouth's Jonny Norman top-scored with 22.

Another high scoring affair at Keswick saw some fine individual performances, in particular from Keswick all-rounder Robbie Bland who took two wickets and hit two sixes in his innings of 31.

Workington Blue made a spirited effort to chase down a big total with Callum Sutton and Liam Armstrong both hitting undefeated 30s.

Under 11

In Monday's games an outstanding all round display from Appleby clinched a win against Penrith Green, the highlight being Bobby Atkinson's brilliant spell which included a hat trick.

Keswick have produced some excellent under-11 sides in recent years and the current crop looks to be no exception. Nigel Clubley

Egremont turned in an excellent performance against Workington, the home side bowling tidily and running between the wickets purposefully when batting.

The young Workington side will gain from the experience, many of their team making debuts.

A close finish between Great Corby and Lanercost saw the visitors win by just six runs.

Evan Jones was the pick of the Great Corby batsmen, scoring 10, including two boundaries.

Everyone contributed though, even the very young final pair who protected their wickets to help guide Corby to 274.

Lanercost's young bowlers performed well throughout, particularly opening bowler, J Waugh.

Evan Jones was the only Corby bowler to enjoy any success, taking one wicket.

S Harding at the top of the Lanercost order made five, hitting one excellent boundary through mid-on.

Keswick have produced some excellent under-11 sides in recent years and the current crop looks to be no exception.

They took on a young Wigton side who had eight players on debut, and all put in an excellent showing, in particular James Wilkinson with 17 not out and two wickets.

The Keswick youngsters did equally well with the bat and ball and J McGowan took three excellent wickets with his medium left-arm round bowling.

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