WINDERMERE'S champion-ship ambitions in the Cumberland View-Volkswagen Westmorland League were dashed when the third-placed side went to second-placed Milnthorpe on Saturday and lost by 36 runs in a low-scoring match.

With both teams chasing pacesetters Westgate, there was plenty at stake and at tea nobody would have taken bets upon the outcome after the home team had been rolled over for just 96.

Brian Smith (25) and Lee Illingworth (20) were in the process of rebuilding the Milnthorpe innings from 34-4 when both fell to gully catches.

From 66-5, the innings fell away to formidable bowling duo Jonothan Cooper (4-31) and Nick Lewthwaite (4-39).

On the bowler-friendly damp wickets of the second half of this summer, Milnthorpe have in Bob Baldwin the man to exploit any assistance.

After Windermere got a flyer that saw 32 quick runs come up, a brilliant run-out of Andrew Wright by Illingworth and some clever captaincy by Steve Bowman changed the face of the contest.

Nick Lewthwaite (23) took the bait and immediately fell to a changed field setting by serving up a catch and nobody else got above eight as Baldwin and Mike Wills (3-14) dominated and Windermere were dismissed for 60.

Baldwin finished with 6-20 off 13 overs to take his tally to 70 league wickets so far.

It left Milnthorpe as the only serious challengers to Westgate. Both teams are in good form, so it may be that the awful weather could determine the course of events. Champions Milnthorpe are certainly not giving up the Bateman Shield without a fight.

Westgate remain in pole position with a 126-run victory over bottom side Bare with Peter Wilson (69) and Nigel Parkinson (52no) hitting the bulk of the 167-3.

Bare offered little resistance and were bundled out for 41.

Ibis asked Sedgwick to bat and at 40 for 1 off 20 overs it looked a good call. A long innings by Steve Dalzell (59) dictated that some big hitting was needed and on a slow wicket Jason Dalzell (31) and George Willacy(26) rode their luck to carry the score to a respectable 181- 5. Dave Irvine (3-45) was the most successful Ibis bowler.

In reply Ibis lost an early wicket but then a good stand between Ken Coulston (31) and John Coulston (26) took the score on to 78 and at 90-3 off 37 overs, Ibis were heading for their two-point milestone of 127.

However, a run-out followed by three quick wickets changed the game. The decision was made to consolidate, resulting in a final score of 97-7. The six wickets taken were evenly shared between four of the six Sedgwick bowlers used.

Shireshead bowler Mike Park took up the mantle of opening bowler and produced a match-winning 6-28 as they beat Arnside by two runs in an exciting last-over finish.

Arnside were set to chase Shireshead's total of 133, in which Eugene Diatloff (24) and Nigel Cunliffe (20) fared best, with Matt Brockbank taking 4-26 and Slater (3-29) for the visitors.

Arnside's Nobby Lee (42) and Chris Howley (32) did the groundwork in reply and with six needed from three overs with four wickets standing, Arnside looked set fair.

Yet they have a habit of choking against these opponents and after Yates (4-44) did some damage, Park struck a vital blow in removing Ian Bullough (23) lbw and then bowled the last man with three still needed.

Elsewhere, Burneside enjoyed a 96-run win against Heysham, who remain far too close to the relegation zone for comfort.

Burneside set a target of 178-7 and dismissed the visitors for 82.

After an 11-year absence, Kirkby Lonsdale are back in the first division and are just two points away from clinching the second division title after beating old rivals Ingleton.

Faced with tight bowling in favourable conditions for the ball, Kirkby collapsed from a respectable 62-4 to 65 all out, with D. Pendry and A. Kellett sharing the spoils with five wickets apiece.

Ingleton's innings was equally dramatic as they reached 38-1 off 13 overs in reply before P. Pease (4-11) and the spin of veteran J. Kettlewell (4-20) turned the game on its head as S. Troughton's side produced an excellent all-round display to dismiss their neighbours for 54 for an 11-run victory.

Neil Jones, 21, hit 114 for Warton A against third division table-toppers Milnthorpe A a fantastic achievement considering he had brain surgery 11 weeks ago and is still undergoing physio for his condition.