WHILE thrilled to record a first Northern League win of the season, skipper Stu Parkin took additional pleasure from Kendal CC securing victory without relying on the runs of headline act Jamie How.

With leading light How as well as Terry Hunte not firing, the likes of Paul Dodds, Darren Braithwaite and Gary Baker came to the fore in the Shap Road club’s three-wicket win over Preston.

This success was offset by Kendal’s defeat at Astley Bridge on Sunday in the ECB National Club Championship after posting 198/8 from their 45-over allocation.

And despite the Bolton League side claiming a three-wicket win with nine overs to spare, Parkin believes there are still plus points to take from the clash.

“It’s always good to get a win under our belts but especially so with Jamie failing with the bat,” he said “That was the majority of my team talk after the game.

“It was imperative for us to win and it’s a lot more satisfying when the likes of Jamie and Terry don’t score any runs.

“The lads should take a lot of confidence from that and it proves we’re not just a one-man team and shows our line-up does bat long.

“We went into Sunday’s game without five first-team players and with an inexperienced side, depending on lads from the second team to get us through.

“We didn’t disgrace ourselves and it was nice to give the likes of Marcus Hill and Richard Herron a chance to play in the first-team environment.”

Meanwhile, Kendal have been rocked by the news Cumberland seamer Jack White has joined league newcomers Penrith, a frustrating situation for Parkin but one he insists presents opportunities to be taken.

“It’s sad, especially after all the club has done for Jack,” he added. “He came to us as a 16-year-old and we’ve stuck by him, to a point making him the player he is today.

“If I’d known he was leaving in pre-season the club could have looked at other bowlers but we’re now a main strike bowler down in the second week of the summer.

“We’re probably a seamer light but there are lads in our squad more than capable of coming in and doing a job.”

With no game on Saturday, Kendal host Morecambe on Monday with How the man on the spot as Parkin is unavailable due to a family wedding.

“Jamie will take the reins which will be nice for the lads as he has captained at international level,” said Parkin.

“There are selection dilemmas at the minute as players have stepped up to the mark from the seconds. That shows strength in depth and it’s not something we’ve had for a while.”