KENDAL CC recorded their first Northern Premier League season with a 71-run victory over Leyland Motors on Saturday, and then followed up by beating Southport and Birkdale in the first round of the ECB National Clubs' Knockout on Sunday.

Kendal's Pakistani professional Kabir Khan pulled the batting round when he and Simon Little shared a crucial stand of 54 in 18 overs to lift Kendal from 120-7 to a respectable total of 201 for eight.

Kabir finished top-scorer with 46 not out, Little made 41 and Terry Hunte 37.

In reply, Leyland Motors were reduced to 11-2 but reached 84 when spinner Richard Ellwood took two wickets in two balls. Another double breakthrough by Kevin Howarth then crushed Motors' hopes at 101-6, leaving professional Asif Ashraf short of partners.

He was finally ninth man out for 67 as he made a desperate bit to throw the bat.

Motors were 130 all out and Kabir finished with 4-24 and Ellwood 4-40.

Netherfield's tailenders denied Lancaster the spoils in a losing draw on Saturday.

Set to chase 220-4, Netherfield made 170-9 in reply with Gareth White top-scorer on 44. But it was bowlers Scott Clement, 33, and Ryan Wilson, 20, who spoils Lancaster's day with their eight-wicket stand of 44.

Lancaster skipper David Heywood hit an unbeaten 94 out and South African professional Renier Munnik 92.

Kendal skipper David Fallows and wicket-keeper Chris Florence shared a 100-stand to pull Kendal from 35-4 to 184-8 at Southport and Birkdale.

Fallows was 76 when stumped and Florence 37.

Sharp fielding and bowling by Kendal then saw Southport dismissed for 101.

May 12, 2003 11:30