Jack takes 6-47 as Shireshead ease to 12 points against Windermere

Skipper Paul Yates won his first toss of the season and had no hesitation in asking Windermere to bat first, and both Gareth Jennings and Dave Jack made good starts with the ball.

O. Killiner (21) responded positively, however, and J. Crawford (19) also struck the ball lustily, but Jack (6 for 47) showed great control in his bowling and his 16 over spell was his best for the club for some time.

The Windermere lower order also struggled with Tom Jacques’ slow bowling (3 for 19) and the innings subsided to 92 all out in the 34th over despite the efforts of M. Park (23).

Shireshead once again began uncertainly as both Colin Twiname and Tom Jacques were soon removed to leave the score at 13 for 2, Crawford and Park inflicting the damage.

Rob Jacques was in blistering form however, and he raced to 50 not out from just 38 balls displaying a fine array of strokes.

He was supported by skipper Yates (29 not out) and the game was won in the 17th over to ensure no further interruption from the weather.

Arnside 203-4d* , K Lonsdale 143-7 (Arnside in winning draw) A depleted KL side but with the return of Steve Williams scoring 40 runs, Scott Trinder scoring 50 runs.

Bowlers struggled to find run up on a wet track but KL quite pleased to come away with 2 points from a strong Arnside team.

Bolton le Sands 155-9, Warton 159-3* (Warton win by 7 wickets) Despite heavy overnight rain, the Hosts covers did their job ensuring play started on time, and with the threat of rain Crowther won an important toss, opting to bowl first to keep control of the game in case of any stoppages.

From the onset the Warton track offered plenty but for openers Rafferty and Ideson to bowl 18 overs between them without reward was the biggest injustice since the last really big injustice !

BLS skipper Wolfrenden and partner Cole needed three bats each to play at some of the jaffas being dished out, leaving umpire Kellett dizzy through head shaking ! At 51/0 Rafferty broke the deadlock having Wolfrenden (14) smartly snaffled by Dixon at cover.

This brought Mark Clarkson to the crease who immediately increased the visitors' rate, which inturn released Cole to step it up.

Ideson's impressive yet fruitless spell led to Wilson's introduction whilst Rafferty was rested for Crowther.

With Crowther encounting an off day, with cries of "chuck another pie down" and "can i have a cornish pasty" coming from one heckler (Vernon) BLS were able to advance to 100/1 off 30 ovs putting them in charge for a challenging target, but Wilson curtailed this advance firstly picking up Cole(47) and then the fluent Clarkson for 45.

Rafferty's return accounted for Beaumont (1) caught at long on by the rapidly advancing Nelson for what was later described as one of the all time great catches at The Hyning !

Unfortunately only Nelson himself thought this. Once Wilson trapped Ireland (19) BLS had stumbled to 137/5 off 38.

Even so a target of 175 was still likely, but when Rafferty dismissed Clarkson Snr (2) and Dyson (6) the innings petered out to finish on 155/9 after Wilson bowled Hill (2) and M Cole was run out from the final delivery. Rafferty and Wilson finished with 4/45 but Ideson's efforts deserve acclaim.

In reply the visitors were again massively hindered by the inability of Clarkson Jnr to bowl, but young Dyson and Clarkson Snr still posed a stern test for the Champions. This test was safely passed up until Herron (10) was trapped by Clarkson on 31/1 from 9.

In form Bovis (5) joined Rafferty, but after a brief stoppage Clarkson took a return catch at the second grab BLS were ecstatic.

Ideson and Rafferty rebuilt to 58/2 at drinks, but much like the BLS innings the freshments brought an increase in pace. Mixing solid defence with crisp timing and at times circus like fielding the pair rode their luck to pass a 50 stand.

Clarkson's 12 over spell saw Hill take to the Railway End and after 15 overs the unfortunate Dyson was replaced by A Cole.

The hosts powered on though with both passing 50 and a century stand to reach the brink of victory.

Both batsmen deserved not outs but after a mammoth day Rafferty holed out off M Cole for a disciplined and dogged 54, but the game was won with 3 overs to spare as Ideson finished unbeaten on 67 after admittedly living a "charmed" life (Quoted from Willy), but still a quality knock.

BLS will take heart from a spirited performance but the CHAMPIONS continue their early season form, having won all six of their games since the start of pre-season.

There was no play between Burneside and Heysham, while there were wins for Milnthorpe at Sedgwick and Westgate at home to Silverdale.

Division Two Bare 81, Westgate A 82-6 (Westgate A win by 4 wickets) Westgate took 15 points from Cross Hill Park neighbours, Bare, to continue their bright start to the season. Opting to bat first in damp, cloudy conditions, Bare never got out of first gear as they struggled against a swinging and seaming ball.

After losing both openers cheaply, Bare’s middle order pairing of F Smith (19) and G Westworth (23) consolidated at a snail’s pace, before Westwood was caught by Nigel Parkinson at mid wicket off the astute bowling of Craig Buchannan (1-12).

Westgate took the pace off the ball and the home side batters struggled to come to terms with the tight bowling of Pete Wilson (5-17) and Buchannan.

Bare spluttered to 81 all out in 42 over’s.

Westgate started in a positive fashion and were homing in on a crushing win with Parkinson ( 17) and Dave Hanningan ( 16) picking up runs at ease before Parkinson fell for 17.

The introduction of M Cook (3-14) prompted a Westgate collapse as 4 wickets fell for 5 runs as the middle order got tied down. It was left to the wise old head of Wilson (15no) and young prospect Dylan Conroy (13no) to ease the visitors to victory in the 26th over.

Reports above are unaltered accounts of matches received from clubs.