CHRIS Howsley proved to be a matchwinner for Arnside as he snapped up five Burneside wickets for eight runs to boost his side’s title prospects on Saturday.

Arnside took advantage of the top two playing each other to close to within eight points of leaders Warton with a 101- run victory, while Westgate pulled back ground, too, a winning draw against Warton.

Arnside won the toss at Burneside and elected to bat, but Matthew Brockbank and Adrian Lee fell early on.

Kevin Howarth came in at No3 and knocked 65, ably supported by Adam Richardson (32).

But from 120-2, Arnside collapsed to 166 all out with13-year-old spinner E. Elwood claiming 4-23 in just five overs and Ryan Stewart 4-13 in 6.1 overs.

Rob Shepherd and Kevin Howarth took some quick wickets in reply, but medium-fast bowler Howsley devastated the Burneside innings with his 5-8 from eight overs, including the prized wicket of captain Steve Cooper (36), who was caught by Brockbank.

David Birch turned the screw with two wickets in two balls as Burneside were all out for 65 and Arnside closed on the leading pack.

Westgate won the battle of the top two but had to settle for just eight points in a winning draw against Warton.

Dave Lord (34) was in scintillating form as he took the attack early to the Warton bowlers, but when he was dismissed the game was in the balance at 55-3.

Dave Hannigan (34) played the anchor role and Aaron Pearce (38) the aggressor as the pair added 63 runs in 17 overs. Nigel Parkinson (25 no) then supported Hannigan as Westgate compiled a testing score of 170-9, despite James Rafferty (4-51) returning keeping them in check.

In response Phil Bovis (38) looked to hit boundaries but after his dismissal, Warton lost momentum and they appeared to settle for a draw early in the innings, especially as Peter Wilson took 4-14 in the Westgate bowling attack.

Graeme Crowther (19 no) dug in, as did Nelson, and Andy Hill (1-17) juggled his bowlers around in an attempt to take wickets, but the overs were played out with ease as Westgate took eight points and Warton one.

Jon Mason knocked an unbeaten 102 as Silverdale took a comfortable 15 points at home to bottom side Kirkby Lonsdale.

Mason, along with James Davis (64) and Kieran Moffat (26) helped the hosts reach 207-2 before the declared with four overs left.

And Paul Moffat (5-50) ensured they took maximum points as Kirkby were all out for 109.

Milnthorpe suffered a four wicket defeat at home to Heysham with Sam Calverley and Graham Cassidy taking five wickets apiece.

Bob Baldwin and Scott Singleton both knocked 31 and Scott Dixon 13 as Milnthorpe were all out for 127, but the hosts were in with a shout when Lee Calverley was out lbw to Baldwin.a And it was 50-4 at drinks with Mike Wills, Dixon and Illingwoth taking wickets.

Heysham skipper Jamie Antcliffe proved a thorn in the side by making 36 before Wills took his wicket, but Andrew Hill saw Heysham home with two fours as they finished on 129-6.

Windermere lost six wickets in quick succession as they went down at Bolton le Sands on Saturday.

Skipper James Park won the toss and chose to bowl on a hard track, but Sands made a quick start as Mark Clarkson and Mike Wolfenden put on 73 for the second wicket before the latter was bowled for 27.

Clarkson made 65 and Matthew Ireland came in to add 36 as Sands knocked beyond 200. Jonny Holden’s 24 took Sands to 210-6, with James Crawford the pick of the ‘Mere bowling on 5-94.

‘Mere were sitting pretty at 91-1 as James Park and Mike Laidler started confidently, but the home side started to take their catches as Park fell for 57 and Sam Fletcher was taken by Adam Dyson for 27.

But from 134-4, Rob Clarkson (5-29) decimated the ‘Mere innings as he yorked both batsmen before Mark Clarkson (2-25) and Dyson (2-38) wrapped up the victory for Sands as ‘Mere finished on 144.

Shireshead were left frustrated in having to settle for a winning draw against Sedgwick.

Paul Yates (57) and Rob Jacques impressed with the bat before Phil Oliver’s 58 took them to 211 at the close of the innings.

Mike Bracken and Ian Wilson feel early in the Sedgwick reply but C Miller got them back on track with 41.

Phil Oliver (4-19) and Jacques (2-27) closed on victory as the ninth wicket fell but Sedgwick held on for a draw on 148-9.

In division two, Darren Troughton set Ibis on their way to 15 points with 5-62 against Coniston and he has now bagged 44 wickets this season.

Coniston finished the innings on 156-8 with Simon Shipperd also taking 3-49 before Ally Braithwaite (74) put Ibis on the brink at 142-4.

And it was left to Craig Dixon and Andy Pickering to see out the win as Ibis closed the game on 157-5.

In last week’s Westmorland Gazette we reported Peter Wilson of Westgate had set an individual league run record with 189 not out against Arnside. Wilson’s knock was only a Division 1 record, with the league record still being held by Graham Kellett of Ingleton who made 209 in division three in 2009.

Hackney and Leigh Trophy Warton earned a 33 run victory against Shireshead to book their spot in the semi final against Arnside on Sunday.

Batting first, Warton were wobbling at 102-5 but Matthew Poole (54no) was supported by Jason Smith and Paul Wilson to close the innings on 192-6.

In reply, Shires lost their openers and Rob Jacques early on. Paul Yates (31) and Dave Jack (39) tried to restore the innings but from 77-3, Shires fell to 159-9, giving Warton the victory.