ARNSIDE defeated Westmorland League Division One leaders Westgate by 55 runs in the crucial top-of-the-table encounter.

Arnside, who are now ten points behind in second place, edged a dramatic, low-scoring game.

Westgate bowled Arnside out for 89 off 38.4 overs as Zak Buchanen ripped through with a first innings return of 7-43. Arnside’s Adam Cowperthwaite top scored with 29.

In reply, Arnside bowled Westgate out for 34 off just 22.4 overs. Adam Cowperthwaite picked up a return of 4-19 while R Shepherd (2-11), L Illingworth (1-2) and C Hously (1-0) also chipped in to pick up a very important win.

Elsewhere, Carnforth eased past Silverdale by five wickets with Darren Nelson starring with figures of 6-9 after Silverdale were bowled out for 37. Silverdale battled back as Carnforth slumped onto 20-5, however Bradley Hoyle's undefeated of 15 and Adam Dixon's 10 not out guided Carnforth to victory as they closed their reply on 39-5.

Burneside continued their good run of form with a comfortable one-run home win against Warton. Simon Huck posted a first innings top score of 54 as Burneside closed on 114-2. In reply, Chris Dixon bowled 5-28 as Warton were bowled out for 113.

Graeme Cassidy returned figures of 5-25 as Heysham defeated Shireshead by four wickets, while Windermere lost by five wickets to Sedgwick. James Park posted a knock of 74 as Windermere closed on 144-9, however Sedgwick closed their reply on 145-5 with the runs shared between the team.

In the final game, Bolton-le-Sands picked up a winning draw at Milnthorpe. Mike Wills’s top score of 79 prevented the visitors taking from taking maximum points as Milnthorpe closed on 130-8, chasing Bolton Le Sands' 153.

In Division Two, Holme saw off Kirkby Lonsdale by eight wickets. Stu Hunter weighed in with 3-8, while Simon Shipperd and Lee Barnes picked up three wickets each as Kirkby Lonsdale were all out for 87. In reply, Shipperd's 44 and Barnes' 34 guided Holme to a close of 88-2.

Coniston picked up a winning draw against Ingleton, with Tom Robinson smashing 139 as Coniston closed on 264-7. However, Graham Kellett posted a century as Ingleton closed on 255-7.

Shireshead A picked up a hard-fought 42-run win against Netherfield Thirds. Phil Oliver posted an undefeated 58 as Shireshead scored a competitive 206-5, before Joe Oliver returned figures of 5-24 as Netherfield were all out for 163.

R White picked up a return of 4-14 as Bare A saw off Westgate A by five wickets, while Ambleside beat Trimpell by 91 runs.

In Division Three Cartmel held onto defeat Sedgwick A by seven runs. Sedgwick almost clawed the game back after a last-wicket partnership of 70, while Kevin Sealby, batting at number 11, posted a top score of 44.

Glenn Russell top scored with 58 as Carnforth defeated Galgate by 69 runs, whlle Arnside A defeated Ambleside A by six wickets.