DESPITE their first three batsmen departing without troubling the scorers, Barrow beat fifth-placed Chorley by 46 runs after scoring 144-9 in their Northern Premier League encounter.

Rawl Lewis top-scored with 63, supported by Todd Bamber with 36 and Ray Mowat with 28 not out. Chorley's Stephen John took 6-27.

Chorley were dismissed for 98, Darryl Wearing taking 5-32.

n WITH only one game to play, the big issues in the Premier Division of the Thwaites North Lancashire and Cumbria League are settled with Cleator claiming the runners-up spot to champions Furness.

At the other end of the table it was a sad day at Rainey Park, where proud Vickerstown were beaten by Millom to face Division One cricket next season, along with Carlisle, who have had just one season in the top flight.

Furness visited doomed Carlisle and beat them by six wickets after the home side had scored 148-7, Mark Daly taking 2-24, Paul Bayman 2-25 and Stuart Horne 2-38. Graeme Ion top-scored with 33.

Furness reached a winning 149-4 with opener Stuart Knox 56, Stuart Horne 34 and Alex Nicholson 30 not out their main contributors.

Cleator hosted Wigton and had to settle for a winning draw, which was enough to gain the runners-up honour.

Batting first, Cleator made 166, Steve Wishart scoring 29, while Glen Liddle took 4-35 and Ian Clark 2-10.

Whitehaven entertained Cockermouth, and secured their premier status with a three-wicket win after the visitors scored 131-7, Mark Bowen making 39 and James Tinknell 29 not out.

Whitehaven replied with 132-7, Jamie Crossan top-scoring with 75 not out, Andrew Milnes taking 3-30.

Lindal Moor beat Keswick by 26 runs after scoring 210-9, Paul Webster hitting 47 and Jeff Smith 29. John Mason took 4-43 for Keswick.

Keswick were then dismissed for 184, John Mason undefeated on 96, while Wayne Herbert took 2-18 and Esuan Crandon 2-41.

Vickerstown were defeated by 65 runs by visitors Millom who scored 131-9, Stuart Swallow top-scoring with 83 not out as Kenroy Peters took 4-22 and Colin Lucus 3-10.

Town were dismissed for 66 thanks in the main to Dominic Connor's 5-16. Stephen Harvey fared best with the bat on 20.

Haverigg went to Workington and won by eight wickets after dismissing them for 79 in 40.2 overs. Kevin Beaumont took 4-20 and Steve Chapman 3-20.

In their reply of 80-2, Tim Kendal with 28 not out and Graham Turner, 22 not out, were the leading scorers.

Division One results: Appleby Eden 172-6 (8), Egremont 171-8 (6); BAE Barrow SC 133 (4), Dalton 318-6 (18, champions); Carnforth 145-9 (6), Penrith 201-4 (14), Duddon 181-4 (18, promoted), Cleator A 179 (5); Kirkby 162 (18), Ulverston 84 (3).