A fine day in Cumbria made for a good game of cricket between two teams with an equal mix of youth and experience.  Shireshead won the toss and chose to bat first on a good looking batting track. Shireshead openers were watchful and steady and ran well between the wickets until Joe Letchley was first out with the score on 29.  With the confidence of early season runs D Sloan (47no) joined Ernie Collinson (83) and together they put on 117 for the second wicket.  Collinson played well all around the wicket whilst Sloan often found a fielder with his trademark cut shot.  Both tried to push the score on but were foiled by a slow outfield and let off by some tired fielding. The dismissal of Collinson brought Adam Coates to the crease and he tried to lift the score only to be caught by a retreating Dixon.  A competitive total of 159 meant at halfway the match was evenly poised.  Robinson (84 no) and Smith (34) started positively for Netherfield before Alan Moulsdale and A Weir tied the home batsmen down and lined up an exciting finish.  Sadly Shireshead couldn’t apply enough pressure to force the mistakes and Dixon (30 no) finished game in Netherfield’s favour in the 37th over.  On a slow flat pitch the batsmen had the best of the day.