THEY had to hammer the wickets into the rock-hard ground at Ambleside as the Westmorland Cricket League opened in complete contrast to last season's soggy start.

Fast tracks made for high scoring in the majority of the second division matches staged on Saturday, with three Kirkby Lonsdale batsmen reaching the half-century as their side ran up a massive 222-8.

It may have been too good, however, for Cartmel hung on to salvage a point for a losing draw on 142-9.

Top batting performance of the day came from Ambleside's P.

Spencer, who hit 78 not out in his side's 182-7.

Leven Valley got within two runs of victory in a nailbiter before drawing on 181-9.

An exception to the run flow came at Burneside A where home bowler Steve Postlethwaite took five for 19 as Carnforth were dismissed for a paltry 41, which Burneside passed for the loss of just two wickets.

Most prolific wicket-taker of the day was A.

Metcalfe, of Holme, who captured 7-45 as Bolton-le-Sands were dismissed for 67.

Sedgwick A and Moor Hospital contrived to create an opening-day tie, both sides being dismissed for 108, despite a fine performance by Sedgwick bowler B.

Dixon, who took 5-20.

Results

Second Division (home team starred): Ambleside* 182-7, Leven Valley 181-9; Bare* 158-7, Coniston 81; Holme 96-8, Bolton-le-Sands* 67; Carnforth 41, Burneside A* 42-2; Kirkby Lonsdale 222-8, Cartmel* 142-9; Sedgwick A* 108, Moor Hospital 108; Westgate A* 81, Ibis 82-5.

Performances

Batting: P.

Spencer (Ambleside) 78no; J.

Dixon (Kirkby Lonsdale) 69; P.

Pease (Kirkby Lonsdale) 64; A.

Siddle (Leven Valley) 59; T.

Harvey (Cartmel) 57no; D.

Williams (Kirkby Lonsdale) 52; M.

Taylor (Cartmel) 49.

Bowling: A.

Metcalfe (Holme) 7-45; S.

Postlethwaite (Burneside) 5-19; B.

Dixon (Sedgwick) 5-20; C.

Knipe (Coniston) 5-49.