CHRIS Miller says the month of July will be key to Kendal's season as they look to bounce back from an astonishing batting collapse at Lancaster on Sunday.

Kendal were in control and cruising at 46-0 as they chased a 101 target before they crumbled to 85 all out.

But with two cup ties coming up - including a County Cup semi final against Whitehaven - Miller insists there is still plenty to play for.

Kendal have been prone to batting collapses in the early part of the season but nothing as dramatic as what happened at Lune Road.

Miller is hoping it is just a one off as they saw their five match unbeaten run (three wins and two losing draws) come to an end.

"We were in control for 75 per cent of the match but some poor batting mistakes and some questionable umpiring decisions cost us. We were sat in the changing room wondering what had just happened.

"But as long as this is just a one off and we bounce back then we can just say it is just one of those things.

"We have a massive month now and that will shape the rest of the season for us. We are still in two cups and if we go on another winning run in the league then we can soon start to climb the table."

Miller must have thought a win was on the cards at Lancaster as professional Eldred Hawken and Saeed Bariwala ripped through the home side's batting line-up.

Hawken finished with figures of 4-21 with Bariwala claiming 5-55 from his 21.3 overs.

After winning the toss and opting to field, Kendal got off to a good start as Hawken bowled Jamie Heywood for 0 then grabbed his second as Alex Metcalfe went for two with Lancaster in trouble on 3-2.

Rameez Raja and Jibran Kahn pushed the score on to 61, before Bariwala came into the attack to dismiss Raja for 40 as Ryan Nightingale was on hand to take the catch.

Bariwala was in relentless form as he claimed his second with Jibran Kahn falling for 22 in the 24th over, before Miller got Tom Whitehouse for LBW.

Bariwala continued to take wickets as Daniel Chambers and Lee Sparks were the next victims, Lancaster struggling on 67-7 off 28 overs.

Miller brought Hawken back into the attack, as the South African saw off Craig Heywood and Ben Simm.

Bariwala completing his five wicket haul, with Liam Moffat the final man to go as Nightingale claimed the catch.

In reply, Kendal got off to a steady start in their reply as they raced to 46 without loss in 14 overs, thanks to a partnership of 40 between Darren Braithwaite and Paul Dodds

However once Darren Braithwaite was caught by Daniel Chambers off the bowling of Ben Simm it was start of the Kendal collapsed.

Dodd departed for 8 with Darren Nightingale (0) and Hawken (1) quickly following him back to the pavilion.

Bariwala (13) and Shane Hyland (12) appeared to steady the ship but once they departed, the final five wickets fell for just six runs.

Miller now wants his side to bounce right back at fourth placed Fleetwood on Saturday.

The Shap Road captain had insisted his side could finish in the top four but may have to revise that target following defeat and two losing draws.

And one such target is to be crowned the county kings and win the league within a league.

"At the moment, a top four finish might be out of reach but that could change if we can string those wins together," he said.

"But we want to finish as the top team in Cumbria and that is another target to stride towards.

"We are all similarly placed with Penrith, Netherfield and Barrow all placed around us in the league.

"So you always look to set yourself these targets to make sure you have plenty to play for and not just go through the motions.

"Finishing as the top team in Cumbria, winning that mini league within the league, is something else we want to do."