MORECAMBE came to Kendal on Saturday as top team in the pecking order at that stage and confirmed the formbook with an eight-wicket victory in a rain-affected match.

It was an unsatisfactory start to Kendal's innings once skipper David Fallows had elected to bat on winning the toss.

Two stoppages early on meant 13 overs were lost and Kendal suffered with Morecambe's South African professional Charl Langeveldt removing openers Kevin Howarth (19) and Gareth Ashburner (6).

When Terry Hunte perished without getting into full flow for 16 with the scoreboard showing only 50, urgent remedial work was required.

Ikram Ullah, a friend of professional Kabir Khan, looks a talented recruit to the side and added 56 with Simon Little's solid support in 15 overs.

However Ullah (25) fell to a brilliant catch at long-off and the innings petered out.

Little was eventually seventh man out for the top score of 37 as Kendal closed on 163-7 after 44 overs. Langeveldt took 3-60 and spinner Warren. Quinn 3-37.

Morecambe were two wickets down with 32 on the board in reply, but an unbroken partnership of 134 between Phil Thornton (78no) and Phil Dennison (45no) swept them to victory at 116-2 with four overs to spare.

COMING UP: Kendal host St Annes and their West Indian professional Jimmy Adams in the league on Saturday.