Kendal’s batting woes continued after they crashed to their third straight league defeating losing by 5 wickets to Blackpool at Shap Road.

The Auld Greys have now gone 3 games where they have struggled to post a competitive first innings total, and while they remain competitive in the field, the lack of runs has made life harder for Chris Millers team who are now just seven points clear of the second relegation place.

Blackpool who remained undefeated continue to defend their title, after Matt Grindley's first innings return of 4-15 saw Kendal bowled out for 109 off 49.5 overs. D

Despite two wickets apiece from Chris Miller and Matthew Park, Blackpool knocked the runs off in 35.3 overs where Joshua Boyne’s undefeated 45 off 77 saw the visitor’s home closing on 110-5 off 35.3 overs.

Kendal who lost the toss and were put into bat made the worst possible start after Matthew Grindley bowled Joseph Dodd’s after just two balls.

The visitors applied even more pressure following the dismissal of Darren Nightingale who was caught by Dylan Henshall from the bowling of Grindley. Chris Miller and Rongsen Jonathan began to frustrate the Blackpool attack after the pair edged Kendal’s score onto 51.

Blackpool with a bowling change regained control when Jamie Thomson bowled Rongsen Jonathan who departed for 9 off 31 balls.

However, both Miller and Oliver Tyson stuck around for a brief spell as they pushed Kendal’s score along onto 70.

The defending league champions who brought Arran Lewin into the attack gained full control of the innings after Lewin saw off both Oliver Tyson and Chris Miller.

Tyson was the first wicket to fall after he played a tame shot into the hands of Matthew Grindley before Lewin trapped Chris Miller LBW who departed for a top score of 32 off 113 balls.

Kendal continued to lose wickets when Joshua Boyne saw off Kuldeep Singh before Grindley bowled Sam Fletcher. Boyne in the attack bowled Paul Dodd’s before Grindley claimed a return of 4-15 following the dismissal of Matthew Park who was stumped by Ben Howarth.

Howarth picked up his second stumping seeing off Toby Tyson off the bowling of Boyne as Kendal were all out for 109 off 49.5 overs.

In reply to this, Tomas King and Kasim Munir posted a first wicket partnership of 20 as set the platform, Kendal attempted to apply some pressure when Miller picked up the wicket of Munir who was caught by Darren Nightingale.

Tomas King hit out for 26 off 51 before he was bowled by Miller however Joshua Boyne and Jake Muncaster guided Blackpool through the Kendal pressure as the visitors moved the score along to 71.

Kendal attempted to stay in the game when Matthew Park claimed the wickets of both Jake Muncaster and Ben Howarth.

Joshua Boyne batted superbly for the visitors as he pushed Blackpool onto 109, and while Toby Tyson bowled Dylan Henshall, Boyne finished the game off as he hit the winning run as Blackpool closed on 110-5 off 35.3 overs while Boyne closed on 45 off 77 balls.

On Sunday Kendal missed out on their chance to secure a Twenty-20 finals Day place following their 6-wicket defeat at Leyland.

Kendal is still in with a chance of qualification but will need to win their remaining T20 game in a few weeks against Chorley and hope results go their way.

Kendal’s batting continued to struggle as they closed the first innings on 99-8 where Rongsen Jonathan top scored with 51 off 50 balls. Kurtis Watson the pick of the bowlers returning figures of 4-14.

In reply, Rongsen Jonathan claimed two wickets however the hosts edged home to victory in 19.2 overs closing on 100-4.

Kurtis Watson (28) and J Wright (24) laid the platform before J Critchleys undefeated 17 off 34 guided Leyland to victory.

Kendal travel to bottom of the table Vernon Carus on Saturday in a huge game for both teams.