Kendal Cricket Club finished as the runner up for the over 40s Cup this weekend against Longridge.

The squad came close but lost out by two wickets in the final at Shap Road.

The game which attracted a huge crowd, saw Kendal suffer the cruellest of defeats after the visitors sealed victory on the third to last ball of the game.

Kendal had posted a competitive total of 180-9 where Harry Lee’s late knock of 31 off 24 balls proved critical for Chris Millers team.

Joshua Mullins opening reply of 50 off 88 balls had initially put Longridge on course for victory before three wickets apiece from both Matthew Park and Sub Professional Risith Upmal saw Kendal take control of the innings.

Tom Turners late undefeated rally of 26 off 17 balls saw Longridge recover before they celebrated a win in one of the most dramatic cup finals played for a number of seasons.

Kendal who won the toss and elected to bat, made a bad start after Darren Nightingale picked out Jake Durnell off the bowling of Caleb Bradford.

Chris Miller and Joseph Dodd’s edged Kendal’s score onto 58, before Miller was caught by Zac Christie from Jonathan Millwards delivery with the Kendal Captain departing for 28 off 41 balls.

Kendal suffered a collapse where they were reduced onto 91-5 after Joseph Dodd’s fell to Tom Howarth, while Risith Upmal and Oliver Tyson departed with Jonathan Millward taking the wicket of Upmal before Jake Durnell trapped Tyson LBW.

The Auld Greys suffered more frustration when Jake Durnell ran out Terry Hunte for 15 before Caleb Bradford bowled Sam Fletcher with Kendal toiling on 120-7.

Longridge added more pressure onto the Kendal attack when Ollie Mullin saw off Kuldeep Singh who was caught by Jake Durnell.

Harry Lees 31 off 24 balls saw Kendal surge to a competitive total of 180-9 with Lee eventually departing after he was dismissed by Jake Durnell.

In reply Kendal were frustrated where both Oliver Mullin and Rhys Morgan put on a first wicket stand of 40.

Kendal eventually made the break through when Matthew Park claimed the wicket of Morgan who was caught by Kuldeep Singh.

Longridge attempted to take the game away from Kendal before Matthew Park trapped Tom Howarth LBW.

The visitors regained control through Zac Christies 21 off 28 balls as he offered support to Joshua Mullin.

Kendal battled back when Risith Upmal bowled Christie before Matthew Park claimed the key wicket of Mullin who was caught by Chris Miller for 50 off 88 balls.

Longridge again battled back after Luke Platts knock off 22 restored some control before Kendal were on top when Upmal saw off both Platt and James Whitehead.

And when Kuldeep Singh bowled Ollie Mullin, Longridge were behind on 146-7, before Tom Turner and Jake Durnell edged their team closer to victory while Kendal battled on after Singh bowled Ollie Mullin.

The game went into the final over where Tom Turner guided Longridge to victory where the wicket keeper scored the winning run on the third to last ball of the game as they pushed for two runs and celebrated a dramatic win where Longridge closed on 181-8 off 39.3 overs.