MILNTHORPE are renowned slow starters but claimed their second victory of season with a resounding ten-wicket success at Sedgwick to keep in touch with the early season pace-setters.

After winning the toss and fielding, Milnthorpe ripped through the home side’s batting line-up with alarming regularity, routing the hosts for 82 in 33.2 overs.

Joe Portmann top scored with 22 before being trapped in front by Scott Singleton while Simon Willacy was the only other Sedgwick batsman to reach double figures with 12.

Singleton posted 4-33 from 11.2 overs although the pick of the Milnthorpe attack was Bob Baldwin who decimated the Sedgwick middle order to finish with 4-9 from ten.

James Parkinson started the party by snaring Adam Horny and claimed 2-17 from seven as Sedgwick were dismissed for less than 100 for the second week running.

In reply, Milnthorpe suffered no such batting woes and knocked off the required runs in style, reaching their victory target of 83 in the 22nd over.

Mike Wills led the charge with a fluent 44 which included eight fours and a six, while able support was provided by Steve Bowman who finished unbeaten on 32.

Five Sedgwick bowlers including Johnny Matthews, Chris Evans and Jason Dalzell all threw their hat into the ring but were unable to prevent Milnthorpe cruising to a 12-point win.

Seven days earlier, Silverdale snatched a remarkable victory from the jaws of defeat against Minthorpe but this week the Cove Road club suffered a role reversal.

After winning the toss and batting, Heysham could only muster 82 all out as right-arm seamer Paul Moffatt starred with ball, taking 6-32.

Sam Calverley offered brief resistance with a score of 25, although Jon and Phil Mason took two wickets apiece to ensure the hosts were chasing a small total.

However, Silverdale were blown away for just 60 as Heysham produced a stunning comeback to claim 12 points and build on their success against Bolton le Sands last time out.

Calverley claimed 5-18 while the left-arm spin of Stefan Dixon also wreaked havoc to return 5-24, with Heysham nicely positioned behind Arnside and Westgate in the league table.

All the others game in the top flight failed to beat the weather, with the same applying throughout the divisions with only a handful of matches surviving.

In the games which did take place, Bare claimed 15 points in the second tier after racking up 192-3 declared against Cartmel, with John Moller top scoring with 74.

Stuart Bucknell finished unbeaten on 54 and despite Cartmel being ahead of the rate after eight overs, Tom Smith soon found his rhythm as the visitors collapsed to 71 all out.

Elsewhere, Holme remain top of the pile after picking up ten points against Shireshead at North Road, with the hosts all out for 131.

In reply, all-rounder Lee Barnes took 5-40 to reduce the visitors to 105-9, although the final wicket remained elusive as Shireshead chalked up three points.

In Division Three, league leaders Carnforth racked up a massive 236-6 against Bare before declaring in the 33rd over, with Lee Hodkinson failing just short of his maiden century for the club.

Hodkinson hit eight fours and cleared the boundary ropes four times en route to 98, while captain Lee Potter also added 54 quick-fire runs.

With 57 overs to navigate, Bare occupied the crease for periods but were ultimately bowled out for 74 as Alex Benson finished with 4-12 and Ryan Kitchen 3-22.

Milnthorpe trail Carnforth by three points after running out comfortable winners against Sedbergh at Park Road, dismissing the visitors for 48 after posting 158-4, with Mike Halhead 51 not out.

Meanwhile, Holme claimed their first success of the summer in Division Four, Trevor Metcalfe guiding his side home with 52 as Shireshead set 106 for victory.

In Division Five, Lewis Smith’s figures of 6-6 proved the catalyst as Morecambe continued their bright start to the season, beating Silverdale by 18 runs despite managing only 51 themselves.