CARNFORTH secured their third consecutive Readers Westmorland Cricket League title on Saturday. Their success has been underpinned by the runs accumulated by Ryan Nelson and the classy left hander scored 113 not out in their 245/2 against Arnside. He has now made 1113 runs at an average of 58.58 with three hundreds and seven fifties.

With 815 runs in the league though he has to score heavily in the last two games to become the first batsman ever to achieve the feat of 1000 runs in a Division 1 season. Darren Nelson (53) and Shane Dixon (70 not out) scoring his sixth fifty of the season kept Nelson company. Although Archie Rich (3/51) made early inroads, the Arnside batsmen didn’t roll over and Mike Shepherd batted beautifully to compile a career best 93 and with Eddie Hart making 47 not out, Arnside gained a draw finishing on 180/6.

Heysham scored a thrilling five-wicket win at Sedgwick to secure second place and a prestigious place in the Lancashire Cup for 2022. Chris Evans (80) had hammered Heysham’s bowling for seven fours and four sixes, receiving good support from Laurie Cox (20) in a partnership of 76 for the sixth wicket. Jamie Cassidy (3/31) and Sam Calverley (3/61) took early wickets but could not stem the acceleration as Sedgwick finished on 201/9.

Lee Calverley opened the innings and has rarely timed the ball so cleanly, his front foot drives were clean and powerful. When he fell lbw to Jason Dalzell (1/30) his brother Sam smashed a rapid 47 not out to finish the game with three overs remaining.

Fifties from Joe Cunliffe (51), Joe Oliver (51) and Dave Jack (80) took Shireshead to 242/7 against Silverdale with Phil Mason taking 5/90. Jack was at his destructive best facing just 38 balls and hitting six fours and six sixes. Only Ally James (30) responded for Silverdale, who were all out for 99, Jack taking 4/22 and Oliver 3/10. Bare for the second time this season almost pulled off a win against neighbours Westgate. This time needing 135 to win they finished nine runs short, but the points secured in the draw mean they are a single point behind Silverdale, who play Carnforth next week.

This could bring an edge to the end of the season as it could be only the bottom side who are relegated.

It took a first team career next from Sam Conroy (46 not out) to Westgate to 134/7 as Robbie White (3/20) and Craig Albon (3/38) made good use of the conditions. White top scored with 49, but Dylan Conroy (4/31) bowled well and Zak Buchanan conceded only eight runs in his twelve overs, and Bare with two wickets remaining, could not complete the win. Graeme Crowther (52 not out) scored his first fifty of the season as Warton scored 146 with Oscar Coxon taking a career best 5/21. Dan Greenwood (36) could not prevent Warton winning by 25 runs as Crowther (3/30) and Harry Tugman (6/32) shared the wickets.

Tugman has had a breakthrough season, passing the milestone of 30 league wickets at a creditable 12.9. It was an important weekend for the Warton club who hosted memorial games on Sunday for their much loved and missed President Colin Bolton who died last year.

Kirkby Lonsdale won promotion to the first division with a 96-run win. Sam Portmann (75) and James Royce (102) were unforgiving against a below-strength Windermere declaring on 230/4 after 30 overs. Peter Blair (36) and Will Aspinwall (57) batted well, but it was Kirkby’s day.

Westgate 2nds are the only team who can catch Kirkby and they reunited Danny Wilkinson, Dave Hughes, Peter Wilson and Steven Creed from the great Westgate side of two decades ago to beat Coniston by four wickets, Wilkinson starring with 40 not out and 3/29.

Bob Simpson scored 51 for Coniston in their 171.

Holme beat Netherfield 3rds by nine wickets and Graham Kellett’s 5/12, supported by Owen Dryden (3/27), bowled Carnforth 2nds out for 83, Sam Tomlinson scoring 32.

Sedgwick 2nds secured promotion to Division 2 with a thumping 106 run win against Heysham 2nds with Robbie Tattersall (113 not out) scoring a maiden hundred, adding 136 with Taylor Finch (58). Adam Kershaw took 4/17 and Will Richards 3/15.

Sedgwick have opened up an eight-point lead over Ambleside, who were held to a draw by Silverdale 2nds.

Barnaby Wileman (52), who has made 572 runs in the league at 52 years of age, was again the lynchpin of 163/9, David James taking 3/31.

James Boyd took 4/21, but Silverdale’s last pair wasn’t for shifting and they closed on 99/9.

Partha Singh made 60 not out in Galgate’s 187/7, Joe Singleton taking 3/34 for Morecambe 3rds who were dismissed for 124 in reply despite Adam Horrobin making 47.

Richard Marshall (62) top scored for Leven Valley in 217/5. Simon Brown (56 not out) gained a draw for Bolton le Sands who replied with 151/6, Matt Butl taking 3/40. Bottom side Holme 2nds beat Carnforth 3rds with Ted Littlefair taking 3/30. Stuart Lord (34 not out) and Carl Weiss (41 not out) helped them reach their target of 117 for the loss of 4 wickets.