Rusty Carlisle second best at Sandair.

On a turning pitch and heavy outfield, Carlisle had little answer to the spin threat of Cockermouth’s Chris Hodgson as the home side wrapped up a 51-run win.

Hodgson’s 5-33 destroyed any hopes Carlisle had of chasing down Cockermouth’s 133 after skipper, Alex Grainger had earlier posted a belligerent 62.

Grainger’s assault threatened both the digital ink of the score box and the glass panes of the pavilion conservatory as he seized on anything wayward.

Although Marcus Stables was the only other batsman to muster double figures with 23, another sizeable contribution of extras from the Carlisle bowlers gave the total a generous gloss.

In response, Carlisle lost early wickets and struggled against the pace and accuracy of Johnny Norman before Hodgson turned the screw decisively.

His control of flight and length punched a huge hole in the visitors’ middle order, while some aggressive counter attacking from Paul Glascott and Henry Walker was too little, too late as Carlisle folded to 82-all-out.

Afterwards, Carlisle skipper Marc Brown refused to blame a much changed line up with professional Justin Greaves back in Barbados and other regulars missing.

Carlisle, who will welcome a replacement professional for the final two games against Wigton and Dalton, now have a chance to focus on finishing third behind the top two sides, Furness and Workington.