SEALING a third-straight South Lakes Twenty20 title means Furness go into this weekend full of confidence as they aim to take a step closer to another piece of silverware.

Wins over Dalton in the semi-finals and Haverigg in the final ensured the club retained their position as kings of the shortest format in the area, with the next two days seeing Scott Peacey's men face back-to-back league and cup matches against Millom.

The first game sees Furness head to St George's Road tomorrow, and a win would see them keep up the pressure on the North Lancashire and Cumbria League Premier Division top two of Cleator and Cockermouth.

The sides renew acquaintances at Furness on Sunday to battle it out for a place in the Higson Cup final, with the winners due to face the victor of the encounter between Carlisle and holders Cleator next weekend.

It was Furness who were beaten in last year's final, so they would relish the opportunity to get back to the showpiece match and go one better than in 2017.

The South Lakes Twenty20 at Dalton saw Furness up against the hosts in the first semi-final, reaching 151 for 5 from their 20 overs, with Nathan Waterston top-scoring thanks to a brisk 35 from 28 balls. Jordan Woodend was the pick of Dalton's bowlers, with 2 for 15 from three overs.

That total proved more than enough for the defending champions as Dalton folded for just 88 in the face of an onslaught from the Furness bowling line-up – in particular Harris Woods, who took 4 for 8 in a devastating two-and-a-half over spell. Sam Stephens finished with 3 for 24 in the 63-run victory.

The other semi-final saw Haverigg overcome Lindal Moor by 30 runs, where Jordan Postlethwaite starred with both bat and ball.

His 73 not out helped Haverigg to 142 for 6 and Postlethwaite then dismissed Lindal's top-three to check their progress, finishing with figures of 3 for 24 as their opponents were restricted to 112 for 9.

The final saw Barrow AFC striker Waterston leading the way for Furness again, bludgeoning 61 not out from 31 balls, including five fours and one six, to help them to 160 for 2 from their 20 overs after again choosing to bat first.

Overseas professional Rishi Dhawan added 45 from 41 balls as well, while Haverigg pro Roy Kaia got them off to a fine start in reply with 51 from 47 balls – including seven boundaries – before being caught by Dhawan off the bowling of Garry Thompson.

Fellow opener Dale Graham fell to Thompson – who finished with 2 for 19 – for 33 as well, but although Haverigg lost just one more wicket they could not get the required runs, meaning Furness were able to celebrate winning the Twenty20 competition for the third year in a row.

Drew Postlethwaite's side now switch their attention to the crucial match against Lindal in the Premier Division tomorrow, with both sides level on 35 points and keen to create some breathing space in the battle to avoid relegation.

Dalton will be seeking to push further away from the bottom two when they head to Wigton, while the pick of day's Division One action sees Hawcoat Park host Ulverston and Kirkby welcome Barrow's second team.

In the Northern Premier League, Barrow's senior side travel to fourth-placed Chorley aiming to put last week's defeat to Blackpool behind them.