CARNFOTH CC climbed to their customary position at the summit of the Westmorland League for the first time this season as they brushed away Westgate last Saturday.

With Ryan Nelson absent, Chris Parry (51) took it upon himself to anchor the innings, uncharacteristically facing 120 balls in reaching 50 for the third time this season as Carnfoth eventually finished on 185/6.

Carnforth aficionados say that Archie Rich has never bowled better than his 4/36 which, in train with Parkinson (3/17), reduced Westgate to 36/7, who were later all out for 74.

Meanwhile, Arnside’s Ben Lenton made 98 not out as they posted 218/9 against neighbours Silverdale, Phil Mason taking 5/67. The in-form Lenton hit 13 fours and three sixes and was unlucky to miss out on a hundred. Jon Mason (66) and Sam Letcher (50) battled hard for Silverdale, but no other batsman made double figures as Rob Shepherd (4/19) bowled a tight spell before David Birch (4/20) disposed of the tail with Silverdale all out for 145. Heysham made 223/5 at Carr Lane against Milnthorpe. Sam Calverley whose batting continues to improve made 85 not out, with good support from Kyle Whitelocks (47 not out) and Jamie Antcliffe (46). It’s a risk to declare at Heysham and veterans, Chris Baldwin (36) and Phil Bovis (32), gave Milnthorpe the solid start they needed to gain a draw, finishing on 159/7.

Trimpell have been a yo-yo side for a generation, but after promotion in 2018 and survival in 2019 are establishing themselves in mid-table this season. On Saturday they beat struggling Burneside by 45 runs with Mark Baldwin (40) and James Lambert (24) behind their 140 all out, Nathan Chambers taking 3/29. Sam Johnston has been a revelation for Trimpell leading their attack and he took 4/20 and Mike Bland weighed in with 3/15 as Burneside were 16/6. Ben Leacock (18), Dan Greenwood (19 not out) and Chambers (27) took the score to 95 before Rob Cope (2/5) claimed the last wicket.