STU Parkin was left cursing the weather as only three balls were possible in Kendal’s final league match of the season against Morecambe at Woodhill Lane.

With St Annes and Chorley recording victories, the washout meant the Shap Road club slipped two places in the final league standings to eighth.

Touted as pre-season title favourites, Parkin was proud of how his side performed in the latter stages of the summer after a difficult start to the campaign.

“It was disappointing on Saturday as we knew we couldn’t go up the league but we could go down a few places and that happened with teams below us winning,” he said.

“I would say to a point our league position doesn’t really do us justice with the better second half to the campaign.

“We only lost one game from the last nine and we were starting to play some really good cricket towards the end.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t have done that at the start but we had three new players coming into the side and it takes time for those players to bed in and find their feet.

“Plus everyone else’s role in the team changes with new blood and that takes some adapting to as well but our form recently has been pleasing.

“We would have hoped for a better campaign given our billing at the start of the summer, but it has been one of those years and we struggled badly with not having a settled professional.”

Parkin took over the club’s captaincy in June following the resignation of Chris Miller after two and a half years in the role, which included success in the Readers Cup last year.

The 32-year-old admits to enjoying the responsibility which comes with skippering the side and has already started casting an eye towards next season.

“The role has suited me and I will certainly look forward to carrying on next year if the club wants me to,” he added.

“While I have used myself sparingly, that has more to do with the form of other bowlers, with Jack White really coming into form at the back end of the season.

“Adam Cowperthwaite’s contribution has been immense all year too and he deserves a lot of credit as he’s had a great summer.

“He was only just pipped to the best amateur wicket-taker in the league by Ben Simm at Lancaster.

“We’ll enjoy the break but come December we’ll all be itching to get back. I’m hoping to start pre-season in early February and have already started putting some plans into place.

“I don’t think we’ll lose any players but you never know. My aim is to keep the team together and largely go with the same set of lads as we have now, with maybe one or two quality additions.

“But what is absolutely paramount is securing the services of a pro who is available all summer.”