Trickett and Davidson audition for Olympic sprint trials but run chase stumbles in table topping clash.

Carlisle Seconds made the perfect start in their attempt to overhaul Braithwaite at the top the EVCL Premier League.

Having won the toss and inserted the visitors, Simon Plevin struck twice to have them reeling on 7-2.

But a magnificent unbeaten 116 from Jason Pyke dragged the game away from Carlisle on a squally day with the ground decorated in bunting for the ECB’s Cricket Fest initiative (more later).

Braithwaite certainly looked the happier side at the tea break with 197 on the board and the distant boundaries of Edenside offering any side chasing runs a real challenge.

In reply, Carlisle’s usually dependable openers had a rare off day, while an LBW decision against the gifted Alex Blaylock appeared to leave the home team with a mountain to climb.

And when a stunning Jason Pyke catch at long off accounted for skipper Bradley, the game looked up.

Matthew Trickett and Jonathan Davidson then came together with the run rate climbing and the visitors posting boundary riders to cut off scoring options.

But, while barely a boundary was made in their partnership of more than 100, they ran like hares to destroy any Braithwaite complacency and raise anxiety levels among the fielders.

Their sprint relays kept Carlisle in the game – just – until the run rate reached double figures and Davidson, attempting to go over the top, was snaffled at mid wicket for a brilliant, all run 52.

Carlisle finished on 175 and just a single point to show from an exhausting and entertaining game.

Braithwaite march on, but there’s a long way to go in the race for the title.

Thanks too to the volunteers who gave a grey day a splash of colour with Cricket Fest bunting and banners, plus a BBQ to round the occasion off. Thrilling cricket, a great atmosphere and much to savour at Carlisle CC.