Warton have extended their advantage at the top of local cricket after a third straight win to open the 2004 summer season but only just.

It came down to a nail-biting last ball of the game finish before the pace-setters were sure of the maximum 10 points against Arnside on Saturday.

And with champions Miln-thorpe and second placed Burneside both being held to draws, the villagers now have a distinct advantage at the head of the Cumberland View VW Westmorland League.

Warton won the toss and put Arnside in to bat on a damp wicket, ending their overs disappointed as Richardson (40), Lee (51 not out) and Bullough (39) helped the home side to a more than respectable 169 for 5.

Warton made good early progress in reply as openers Barrow (28) and Neil Jones (35) laid a foundation which Weatherill (34) and R Nelson (26) were able to build on. But with eight wickets gone it all came down to the last ball of the match and Warton got the runs they needed to win.

Westgate had little trouble in taking maximum points from the meeting with Heysham despite losing the toss and being inserted in damp conditions. S Creed (53) and N Parkinson (26) got them off to a flier and Westgate were able to declare on 184 for 3 after 42 overs.

Heysham never threatened to get back into the game as wickets tumbled quickly after tea the reply slumping to 22 for 6 so that the lower order had no chance of salvaging the game. The innings finished on 57.

Bare had the better of their encounter with Burneside after crawling to a mediocre 113 for 8 off their overs when offered first use of the wicket.

The top scorer was number nine bat P Sinclair on 31 not out, but Burneside found the going even tougher and could only reach 93 for 7 in reply against tight bowling on a damp wicket offering plenty of assistance.

Shireshead came out with no points from their match with Silverdale despite rattling up a 158 for 6 score when batting first - their visitors gained the edge on 159 for 5 thanks to an unbeaten 62 from L Thompson.

Results Division One: Westgate 184-3* dec Heysham 57AO; Arnside 169-5* Warton 171-8; Ibis 78-6 Milthorpe 178-4*; Bare 113-8* Burneside 93-7; Shireshead 158-6* Silverdale 159-5.

Division Two: Ambleside 126-8 Cartmel 125AO*; Burneside 105-5* Kirkby Lonsdale 82AO; Bolton-le-Sands 169AO* Coniston 93-9; Trimpell 61A) Ingleton 186-6*; Netherfield 95-4 Westgate 175-8*; Carnforth 65AO* Moor Hospital 70-6.

Division Three: Morecambe 83AO* Holme 72-9; Milnhtorpe 90-2 Arnside 86AO*; Heysham 66-3 Galgate 65AO*; Windermere 188-7* Sedgwick 57AO; Kendal 119-9 Leven Valley 118-5*; Warton 134-7 Shireshead 133-8*.

Division Four: Holme 30* Ingleton 35-8; Shireshead 43-1 Trimpell 42AO*; Sedbergh 113-7* Ambleside 114-6; Carnforth 84AO* Bolton-le-Sands 81AO; Silverdale 193-8* Bentham 120-6; Cartmel 68AO Ibis 220-5*; Coniston v Morecambe, Moor Hospital v Netherfield and Barrow v Bare, no play, rain.

* denotes batted first.