AFTER a five-wicket haul by off-spinner Chris Miller, a rearguard action prevented Kendal slipping to defeat as the Lancashire Colts departed Shap Road with a winning draw.

Chris Laker top scored with 48 as the Colts posted 167-9 from their 50-over allocation, with Miller proving the most potent bowler and returning figures of 5-54 from 18 overs.

In reply, Miller and Stu Parkin batted out the final few overs to deny the visitors victory as Kendal finished on 113-9, with Callum Parkinson and Callum Porteous taking three wickets apiece.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, Parkin once again ensured Kendal claimed an early scalp, dismissing Callum Parkinson, caught by Jamie How, for two.

Laker joined forces with opener Harry Duerden with the duo adding 58 for the second wicket before the latter became Miller’s first victim, caught behind by Gary Baker, for 23.

The Colts reached 83-2 at the halfway stage with Miller making the much-needed breakthrough by taking the wicket of Rob Jones, caught and bowled, for 26.

Miller struck again in his next over as Gary Baker stumped Laker, with the Colts making steady progress as their innings approached its latter stages.

Khurram Hussein holed out to Miller to give How his first victim as the Colts added 37 runs from their final ten overs, with Matt White trapped in front by Miller for 15.

Matthew Parkinson was run out for 21 as How dismissed Porteous LBW for six, before Miller completed his five-for by removing Joe Kershaw, stumped by Gary Baker for five.

Chasing 168 for victory, the Kendal reply started in watchful mode as openers Paul Dodds and Gary Baker added 15 in nine overs before the latter fell to Callum Parkinson, stumped by Kershaw, for nine.

Matthew Parkinson claimed the prized wicket of How, bowling the former New Zealand international for 18 after a breezy innings of 18, which included two sixes.

This brought Terry Hunte to the crease, with he and Dodds notching 34 for the third wicket – the highest partnership of the innings – before Callum Parkinson claimed his second scalp.

Hunte departed for 25, with a flurry of wickets following as Kendal stuttered through the middle and latter stages of their batting as victory became an increasingly remote prospect.

Shepherd was bowled by Porteous for two as Graham Baker was caught in the deep for nine as the home side slumped to 86-5 off 32 overs.

Porteous then brought Dodds’ 96-ball vigil at the crease to an end for 23, while returning next over to bowl Darren Braithwaite for two with Kendal struggling at 92-7 off 37 overs.

A useful 19-run partnership followed between Darren Nightingale and Adam Cowperthwaite before the latter edged behind to Kershaw off Matthew Parkinson for 11.

After clearing the boundary rope, Ben Eckton came into the attack to bowl Cowperthwaite for eight, leaving Parkin and Miller to navigate the final three overs.

The duo succeeded in their task which saw the game drawn, with the Colts returning to Greater Manchester with nine points as Kendal took four from the clash.