CRICKET: Kirkby Stephen bounced back from an opening-day defeat to overcome a useful Carlisle 2nds side in their Eden Valley premier division match on Saturday.

Carlisle batted first and scored 113 for eight in their 40 overs with M. Blaylock (28) and A. Trippett (16) their biggest hitters.

Indifferent Kirkby fielding was largely responsible for Carlisle's total but five wickets for 31 runs in the middle 20 overs kept them in touch. Carl Hodder took three wickets for just 11 runs in his ten overs spell and spinner Kerry Hurst got two for 20 in addition to taking a superb slip catch off Hodder's bowling.

Despite one or two anxious moments, as early order batsmen went cheaply, Kirkby youngsters Robert Hook (36 n.o.) and Andrew Wilkinson rescued the situation by adding 60 runs in a fine fourth-wicket stand. More wickets were then lost before Jim Pike's rapid scoring steered Kirkby to a comfortable victory at 114 for seven.

Kirkby's sponsor for this season is John Alexander, of the Black Bull Hotel, who has provided new shirts for the side.

Kirkby are at home again on Saturday against Staffield.

Rugby ends on winning note RUGBY: Upper Eden had two victories last weekend in friendly matches that brought down the curtain on their season.

On Saturday they came from 21-10 behind at half-time to beat Wensleydale 39-36 in a highly entertaining match as part of Ivor Allenby's 50th birthday celebrations. Then, on Sunday, they beat a touring team from Seaton Carew, who visited the club on their way back to the North East.

l Cumbria lost their opening County Championship Shield match 42-31 at Tynedale, recovering well from a slow start. They now face Warwickshire at Carlisle on Saturday.