MARSH United came out on top in their battle of the North Lancas League giants against Storeys's in the Sam Price Memorial Cup.

In a hard fought first half in which they always had the edge, favourites Marsh struck twice through Mark Goulding and Alan Coulton - but it was a different story after the break.

Chris Hobbs pulled one goal back to set up a hectic finale in which Marsh almost increased their lead when two shots hit the woodwork but Storeys also had chances to draw the teams level before losing by the odd goal in three.

In the Premier Division, Caton United made themselves virtually safe from relegation as they beat Westgate Wanderers with a hat trick from Darren Green and a goal apiece from Mark Burkitt and Dave Bamford.

Morecambe Royals remarkable record of clean sheets continued against Torrisholme Fc despite a rash of chances for both teams.

James Davies in the Royals goals made two fantastic saves to deny eager Torrisholme and it took a penalty scored by Rob Elder to break the deadlock before Royals increased the tempo to add further goals by Joe Lambert and Adam Mason.

In the Division One Holdens Solicitors Cup semis, league leaders Carnforth Rangers had to work hard for victory over a well organised Storeys Reserves side after going behind to a David Leslie strike.

Rangers equalised in less than 60 seconds when Lee Watson headed in but it was not until extra time that Watson completed his hat trick and Paul Taylor and Alec Gorton added singles to book a final place.

In the league, there was a remarkable game at Grange where visitors Marsh Reserves - fighting to avoid relegation - caused the hosts all sorts of problems and went in front through Lee Fox. But Peter Gadsden scored twice to turn it around before Grange went on to hit five more goals to complete a 7-1 rout.

After a run of poor results, Millhead finally came good form to surprise Morecambe Royals ReserVES as James Rafferty, Dominic Wooff (2) and Chris Sowerby all scored goals to eclipse efforts from. Nathan Durham and Aiden Dunphy and give the villagers the three points needed to avoid relegation.

Division Two leaders Morecambe Hoops suffered a humiliating 8-2 defeat at the hands of a young Morecambe Cricket Club side despite taking an early lead through Andy Wright. The fightback was started by Paul Smith before Graham Cassidy, Paul Turner, James Forrester (2) and a hat trick by Andy Armitage turned the game on its head. Bolton Le Sands beat Swarthmoor Reserves 3-0 as Andy Banks and a brace from Chris Mather did the damage.

In Division Three, Central Pier won the match of the day against Bowerham by 3-2 and Highgrove Reserves closed in on the championship after thrashing a disappointing Allithwaite Rangers side 7-0. They now need just 10 points from their last six games to win itn after Liam Rogers, Chris Angus (2), Scott King (2), Martin Jackson and Andy Bushell all hit the net.

The top Division Four match saw leaders Heysham and second placed Overton shared the points in a game in which the teams cancelled each other out so that few chances were created. Overton made the break as Alan Wright bundled his way through the home defence to score but it took just 10 minutes for Heysham to level when Michael Denwood took advan-tage of slack marking to slot home in a game excellently controlled by the experienced Tommy Daniel.

Villa Royals found the going tough against Bentham Reserves and lost to strikes by Daniel Jackson, Dave Preece and James Barlow, and Bolton le Sands Reserves left Gregson Reserves anmchores to the foot of the table with a 2-1 win thanks to Doug Farquharson's brace.

Results.

Premier Division: Caton Utd 5 Westgate Wanderers 0, Slyne with Hest 0 Galgate 0, Torrisholme 0 Morecambe Royals 5. Sam Price Cup: Marsh Utd 2 Storeys 1 Division One: Bentham 1 Ingleton Res 1, Community Sports 3 Swarthmoor SC 4, Grange 7 Marsh Res 1, Lancaster CC 0 Vine 2, Morecambe Royalk Res 2 Millhead 4. Holdens Solicitors Cup: Carnforth Rngrs 5 Storey Res 1 Division Two: Bolton-le-Sands 3 Swarthmoor Res 0, Morecambe Hoops 2 Morecambe CC 8.

Division Three: Boys Club Res 0 Arnside Res 1, Bowerham 2 Central Pier 3, Highgrove Res 7 Allithwaite 0. Accrington Trophy Centre Cup: Moorlands 0 Gregson 1.

Division Four: Gregson Res 1 Bolton-le-Sands Res 2, Heysham 1 Overton 1, Villa Royals 0 Bentham Res 3.

Fixtures.

Adam and Gaskell Cup semi: Halton Rangers v Morecambe Royals Squires Snooker Centre Cup: Marsh Res v Storey Res Premier Division: Galgate v Caton Utd, Ingleton v TIC Dynamos, Kirkby Lonsdale v Marsh Utd, Slyne-with-Hest v Highgrove, Storeys v Westgate, Torrisholme v Boys Club.

Division One: Bentham v Grange, Cartmel Res v Ingleton Res, Millhead v Community Sports, Morecambe Royal Res, Lancaster CC, Vine v Burton Thistle. Holdens Solicitors Cup: Swarthmoor SC v Slyne Res.

Division Two: Caton Res v Swarthjmoors Res, Middleton v Bolton-le-Sands, Morecambe Hoops v Millhead. Whiteside Challenge Cup: Arnside v Kirkby Lonsdale Rangers.

Division Three: Moorlands v Furness Rovers, Byrton Th Res, Central Pier, Grange Res v Allithwaite Rangers, Gregson v Galgate Res. Accrington Trophy Centre Cup: Highgrove Res v Bowerham.

Division Four: Bolton-le-Sands Res v Bentham Res, Heysham v Middleton Res, Villa Royals v Ingleton A. Kelly Flynn Cup Group Two: Carnforth Res v Overton.