WARTON may not be in the thick of the Westmorland Cricket League title race themselves but they are determined to have a mighty big say in its destiny.
A week ago they held up Westgate's seemingly inevitable charge towards the champion-ship by hanging on for a draw and pegging the leaders back at the head of the table.
But this week they proved it was nothing personal' by putting the brakes on Windermere who had seemed the team most likely to challenge for pole position.
R Nelson senior was the main architect of a winning draw for Warton as he remained unbeaten on 61 as the villagers took first knock and made 175 for 9 on their soon-to-be-extended home ground.
Windermere were never quite up to speed in reply and remained on 141 for 8 when the overs ran out, picking up just three points for their day's work.
Westgate, on the other hand, had a fairly comfortable day after batting first and setting a 175 for 6 target in their match at Sedgwick.
With all-rounder P Wilson chipping in with a 6-34 bowling spell as the home team replied there was little doubt about the result. Sedgwick were 120 all out.
That means that Milnthorpe have now crept into second spot behind the top dogs after a five wickets win at Burneside, where M Wills (6-29) and L Illingworth (59 not out) combined to good effect.
At the wrong end of the table, Bare picked up only their second win of the campaign and a very convincing one it was against Shireshead.
Shires took first use of the wicket and could make just 119 for 8 in their overs, allowing Bare an eight wickets triumph as S McDonald led the ay with 59 not out.
Heysham also had a better day as they beat Silverdale in an amazing game where they batted first and made just 88 all out but then made even shorter work of the home team. A Thomas returned 6-21 as Silverdale succumbed for 34.
Bolton-le-Sands continued their late surge up the Division Two table with a 48 runs verdict over basement boys Carnforth they now stand in third place a distant 28 points behind Ingleton and 48 off leaders Kirkby Lons-dale.
And talking of revivals, Trimpell kept their charge away from the relegation zone going with a surprise eight wickets win over Moor Hospital S Beniston once more doing the damage with 5-27 as Moor were bowled out for a meagre 83.
Down in Division Four, Bolton-le-Sands A' had the day's closest result - a tie with league leaders Ibis. Both finished on 146 to take home six points.
Results Division One: Burneside 103 Milnhtorpe 107-5; Shireshead 119-8* Bare 123-2; Warton 175-9* Windermere 141-8; Sedgwick 120 Westgate 175-6*; Silverdale 34 Heysham 88*; Ibis 111-9* Arnside 112-8.
Division Two: Ambleside 126-8* Burneside 60; Kirkby Lonsdale 52-7 Westgate 50*; Trimpell 84-3 Moor Hospital 83*; Ingleton 235-6* Cartmel 71-6; Carnforth 140 Bolton-le-Sands 188-5*.
Division Three: Milnthorpe 86-2 Sedgwick 85*' Arnside 53* Shireshead 57-0; Windermere 175-3* Holme 83; Heysham 132-9* Kendal 115-9; Galgate 91 Morecambe 195*; Leven Valley v Warton, no play rain.
Division Four: Cartmel 100 Trimpell 149-8*; Bolton-le-Sands 146-7 Ibis 146*; Shireshead 113-7 Kirkby Lonsdale 144-9*; Coniston 58-8 Sedbergh 169*; Carnforth 73* Holme 76-7;; Ingleton 121-7 Bentham 120-8*; Moor Hospital v Silverdale, no play rain; Lancaster no team v Ambleside.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article