KENDAL Cricket Club's bid to move clear of the foot of the Northern Premier League was handed a blow as rain brought an early end to their match at Morecambe.

The Auld Greys who batted first collapsed from 46-0 to 134 all out, after Jamie Cassidy returned figures of 5-41.

However Kendal had Morecambe under some pressure in the second innings when Jason Dawes picked up the wicket of Mark Woodhead before two rain delays saw the game called off with Morecambe on 21-1.

Kendal made a positive start after Zachary McCaskie and Ryan Shepherd put on a first wicket stand of 46.

Both openers looked in good touch as Kendal played with confidence however the hosts soon gained the initiative after Edward Read bowled Shepherd for 19 off 44 balls.

Once the first wicket fell Kendal struggled onto 50-4 as Cassidy picked up the wicket of Dawes who was caught behind by Damian Gudgeon, while Ashan Priyanjan removed McCaskie and Kendal captain Chris Miller. McCaskie, who fell for 28 off 47 balls, picked out Adam Derham, while Miller was bowled by the Sri Lankan club professional.

Ben Phillips and Lachlan Stewart offered some resistance with a fifth wicket stand of 23, as Kendal recovered onto 74.

However two quick wickets saw Kendal under further pressure on 74-6 when Stewart was stumped by Gudgeon off the bowling of Prijanjan, while Phillips was trapped LBW by Cassidy.

Paul Dodds and Saeed Bariwala battled back with a steady seventh wicket stand of 31, before Dodds picked out Ryan Pearson off Prijanjan's delivery.

Kendal from that point struggled as Cassidy bowled Bariwala and dismissed Richard Dakin. While Toby Tyson and Edward Price battled bravely before Cassidy dismissed Tyson for five as Kendal were all out for 134 off 48.5 overs.

In reply Morecambe made a slow start as Kendal bowled well before both sides went off for rain. Once the rain had relented, the game resumed and Dawes claimed the wicket of Mark Woodhead who was caught by McCaskie.

More rain fall saw the game called off with the game evenly poised.

Both teams were awarded five points each. Kendal travel to play Division One Champions Leyland on Saturday.

Kendal’s second team defeated Morecambe Seconds by two wickets at Shap Road.

Marcus Hill returned figures of 4-25, while Phil Thornton top scored with 96 after Morecambe closed their first innings on 186-6.

In reply Kendal raced along to 100-2 as both Finlay Richardson and Shane Hyland scored 37 runs apiece, while a collapse saw the hosts under pressure. However Mike Dugdale's undefeated knock of 43 off 62 balls saw Kendal close on 187-8 off 44.1 overs.