SATURDAY'S rain brought Morecambe's game against top of the table rivals Chorley to an abrupt end, another blow to Morecambe's once promising season.

It was, perhaps, as well that the rain did intervene because when the clouds gathered Morecambe were struggling on 55 for 5, with their normally reliable opening batsmen failing to get their innings off to a good start.

Morecambe, who lead the table briefly earlier in the season, now find themselves in fifth place, 33 points behind leaders Netherfield who they visit on Saturday.

The top of the table now has a bit of a Cumbrian feel to it, with Kendal sneaking up to second place after a victory over Lancaster.

Lancaster put on a total of 151 for 7, with a fine knock of 52 from Luke Phillips the highlight of the day.

However, Kendal's batsmen had few problems beating that, with openers Little and Khan scoring at a rapid rate to pull their score up to an eventual 155, with just two wickets down, assisted by skipper David Fallows, who made 55.

Lancaster host Leyland on Bank Holiday Saturday, before the big local derby against Morecambe at Woodhill Lane on Monday.

Unfortunately, Lancaster go into those two games bottom of the table by 10 points.

Lancaster seconds produced a tremendous double whammy at the weekend to keep them on course in both league and cup.

Kendal made 125 at Lune Road on Saturday but Lancaster raced past that for a six wicket win. Schmid and Caswell were Kendal's most threatening batsmen, both scoring 25, but once Neil Jordan had dismissed them at 68/3 and 74/4, Kendal were never likely to achieve a significant total.

Jordan ended with 4/38 while Bob Masterman took 3/28 and Iain Burstow and Paul Dennison both took a wicket each. The latter pair soon returned from the pavilion and had to make some quick runs.

The rain restricted Lancaster to 26 overs and Dennison, promoted up the order, soon smashed 27 off 26 balls. With regular first-teamer Burstow alongside, hitting 46, Lancaster were well away.

Brian Phillips then hit 18 before Steve Johnstone made a rapid 21 not out to cruise to victory in just the 22nd over.

Captain, Johnstone, also produced a superb all-round display in Sunday's Latus Cup semi-final at Chorley. He and Andy Miller opened and the pair put on 51 before Johnstone fell on 31 and Miller on 48.

The lower order then followed well to put up 162 all out. In reply, Chorley were 109 all out with Johnstone taking 2/25. Bob Masterman took 2/23 but the pick was Paul Dennison with 4/23.

Lancaster now face either Fleetwood and Blackpool in the final on September 2nd.

Fleetwood, also Lancaster's league rivals, only managed a winning draw whilst Morecambe's defeat at Chorley on Saturday was even more encouraging for the Lune Road club.

Lancaster are just five points behind leaders Fleetwood, with Morecambe a further 11 points back.

The coming bank holiday weekend sees the firsts welcome Leyland and Farrington on Saturday with the seconds facing the big crunch match against Morecambe on Monday, also at Lune Road.