KENDAL Cricket was hit by a difficult defeat following their latest clash.

The team lost by 70 runs to second from bottom Lancaster on a bad afternoon for Chris Millers team.

The Auld Greys who were looking for their third straight league win, struggled during the second innings after they were bowled out for 66.

However, the team were left disappointed after bowling Lancaster out for a chase able target of 136, where Matthew Park was the pick of the bowlers after returning figures of 3-8. Kendal would have bowled Lancaster out for far less had they managed to dismiss Indian Professional Irfan Kahn whose undefeated knock of 78 off 97 balls made up a large part of the visitor’s total.

Lancaster in the end ripped through Kendal during the second innings with Kieran Moffat returning figures of 5-28 as The Auld Greys are still not safe from relegation. Kendal who was without a number of players started with Terry Hunte and Oliver Yarker in the starting eleven while Toby Tyson opened the batting alongside David Batty.

After losing the toss and being put into field, Kendal started well enough after Kuldeep Singh trapped Drupad Parmer before Chris Miller claimed the wicket of Lancaster captain Laurie Atkinson who saw his effort taken in the field by Matthew Park.

Kendal continued to rip through the visitors after Sam Fletcher ran out Ben Simm before Chris Miller trapped Steven Fisher LBW while the visitors toiled on 39-4.

The Auld Greys gained further momentum after Toby Tyson dismissed Kieran Moffat who picked out Alec Carradus.

However, Lancaster battled back largely down to Indian Professional Irfan Khan who unleashed a clinical batting display, while David Stinson’s 16 off 29 proved crucial with the team from Lune Road pushing onto 130.

Chris Millers team managed to break Lancaster’s momentum when Toby Tyson claimed the wicket Steinson who was caught by Rongsen Jonathan.

Matthew Park who was brought into the attack ripped through the lower order after he saw off after he bowled Liam Moffat and Lee Sparks before taking the wicket of Chris Beales who was caught by Chris Miller as they were bowled out for 136. Irfan Khan closing undefeated with 78 off 97 balls which included five fours and one six.

Kendal made a bad start in their reply after they slumped into trouble on 3-2 after Liam Moffat trapped Toby Tyson LBW before Kieran Moffat claimed an LBW against David Batty.

Rongsen Jonathan attempted to recover the innings before he was dismissed for 28 by Liam Moffat and the gloom descended over the Shap Road when both Chris Miller and Sam Fletcher saw their wickets fall, with Kieran Moffat taking the wicket of Miller before Liam Moffat trapped Fletcher LBW.

Kendal struggling 31-5 offered some resistance through the experienced Terry Hunte as Chris Millers team edged along onto 53.

However, any hopes of a recovery were soon thwarted when Kieran Moffat bowled Harry Lee before Ben Simm trapped Terry Hunte LBW. And Kieran Moffat turned the screw on Kendal after he saw off both Oliver Yarker and Matthew Park with Moffat closing on figures of 5-28. Lancaster sealed the win after Ben Simm saw off Kuldeep Singh who was caught by Laurie Atkinson as Kendal were bowled out for 66 off 32 overs.

Kendal host league leaders Garstang on Saturday in a crucial game for both teams, victory for Kendal would see them all but safe from relegation while a result for Garstang would edge them closer to the Northern Premier Cricket League title.