IT was the battle of the champions past and present as Arnside hosted Shireshead in the latest round of matches in the Westmorland Cricket League.

In what should have been a high-scoring affair, given the batting talent on offer, a low, slow track soon put paid to that as neither side failed to score over 100.

Arnside, the 2013 champions, were put in to bat by the current holders and they faltered to 11-1 off 10 overs mainly due to another fantastic spell of opening bowling from D. Jack (1-14) and J. Rafferty (3-40).

L. Illingworth survived a couple of early shouts and went on to top score for the hosts with 23, but any hopes of posting a large total were swiftly dashed as R. Upton tore through the Arnside middle order, finishing with figures of 4-19 off 11 overs.

The talented young leg spinner bowled with guile and precision, ably supported at the other end by the not-so-youthful P. Wilson.

This mixture of youth and experience proved to be a successful formula as Wilson (1-6) picked up the last wicket of the innings, leaving Arnside 88 all out.

Shireshead's response didn't start much better as openers N. Rafferty and S. Gould were both dismissed by A. Cowperthwaite within the first seven overs.

A further two quick wickets for the Arnside opener, including a stunning caught and bowled, resulted in fine figures of 4-35 and left Shireshead reeling a little at 30-4.

However, with P. Bovis looking imperious, another of Shireshead's exciting young cricketers, J. Dugdale, steadied the ship. While Bovis scored steadily at one end, Dugdale (20) played with such maturity and authority it was difficult to believe he would be celebrating only his 18th birthday the next day.

When both Dugdale and D. Jack were dismissed by A. Lee (2-16), all that remained was for P. Bovis (48 not out) to hit the winning runs to keep Shirehead in second place.

Leaders Westgate remain unbeaten after beating Warton in an evenly contested battle at Cross Hill Park.

Batting first, Warton slumped to 50-7. Dylan Conroy (2-26) provided the initial breakthrough, but it was Garry Tattersall (3-34) who did most of the early damage taking three of the top five victims.

As wickets tumbled from the other end, the class and patient Ryan Nelson (25) was looking for support as a lot seemed to fall on his shoulders.

When he was bowled however by Andy Hill, the home side sniffed the chance of chasing a well below par score.

However captains present and past, Gareth Finney (43) and Graeme Crowther (22 not out) showed the middle order that the track held no demons as they added a chanceless 68 for the 8th wicket.

Despite the last three wickets falling for just three runs, the eighth wicket partnership sprung the game into a real nerve jangling total, leaving perhaps both sides content at the break.

In reply, Westgate's top order all failed to add anything significant and at 19-4 they found themselves in a losing position for the first time in the game.

Westgate were in need of some crucial runs at a crucial time, and it was Ryan Speak alongside Dylan Conroy who added some calmness to proceedings putting together a match winning partnership of 82 in 20 overs.

Conroy (26) was the more circumspect of the two, but his role just as important, while Speak (53) crashed 7 fours and one six during his match winning knock.

It was left to Sam Frith (8 not out) to strike the winning boundary.

Third placed Milnthorpe (180-7) won at Bare (178-9) while C Dixon took 6-41 at Burneside (170-3) beat Windermere (168-10).

Heysham (210-6) picked up a welcome 15 point win thanks largely to an unbeaten 80 from L Pearson as they defeated Ambleside (140 all out).

Bottom of the table Sedgwick (110 all out) lost at Silverdale (111-5).