WESTGATE have been confirmed as the new champions of the Westmorland Cricket League - with a little unexpected help from relegation-threatened Bare.

While Westgate were taking care of business in a low scoring affair at home against Silverdale, Bare caused a major shock by holding up challengers Windermere.

The Lakelanders' N Lewthwaite took an impressive 7-21 in bowling out Bare for 104 and set up what should have been a cruise to victory.

But Bare's M Lockwood had other ideas, and when he returned 5-25 as Windermere replied it was game on' for both sides. In the event the game ended with scores tied on 104 each to end any hopes of the title for Windermere and give Bare a chance of staving off the drop to Division Two with a win in their last game this weekend.

The party has already started for Westgate after their win over Silverdale - but not without a few jitters.

P Mason took 5-30 for the visitors as Westgate made just 90 all out, but it proved more thanh enough as a 7-28 return for D Wilkinson reduced Silverdale to 61 all out in reply.

Warton could not bowl out Ibis to give themselves a win which would have seen them leap to third in the table.

After taking first knock and seeing P Bovis hit an unbeaten 86 in a 209 for 5 total they failed to bowl out the opposition - Ibis held on for a point at 56 for 7.

But at the wrong end of the table, Heysham are safe despite losing by a massive nine wickets to Shireshead - for other results went in their favour to keep them out of the drop zone.

Kirkby Lonsdale have been confirmed as Division Two champions despite their game at Cartmel being halted by a rain-soaked pitch.

The four points gained from a rain draw keeps them well ahead of Ingleton, in second place, and Bolton-le-Sands - who were held to a draw by resurgent Trimpell.

M Ireland top-scored with 80 as Bolton-le-Sands made 224 for 8 in their overs but they could not bowl out the Morecambe men, who finished the game on 127 for 6.

Victory by three wickets over Morecambe III has handed Shireshead A' the Division Three title ahead of Milnthorpe A', and in Division Four it is Ibis who top the pile as chgampions.

Results - Division One: Westgate 90* Silverdale 61; Shireshead 58-1 Heysham 56*; Sedgwick 150-8 Burneside 148-5*; Bare 104* Windermere 104; Ibis 56-7 Warton 209-5*.

Division Two: Cartmel v Kirkby Lonsdale, no play, rain; Trimpell 127-6 Bolton-le-Sands 224-8*; Burneside 89-7 Netherfield 105-8*; Ambleside 133-6 Westgate 136*; Ingleton 85-4 Carnforth 84*; Moor Hospital v Coniston, no play, rain.

Division Three: Holme 194-7* Arnside 64; Morecambe 70* Shireshead 74-7; Leven Valley 161-8* Galgate 92; Heysham 131-7* Warton 133-4; Windermere v Milnthorpe, no play, rain.

Division Four: Netherfield 111-9* Bolton-le-Sands 104. All other games, no play, rain.