Westgate claim winning draw over Trimpell

Westgate batted first and posted 148-9 from their 45 overs. Dylan Conroy top scored with 39 while R.Cope (3-23) was the top wicket taker for Trimpell.

In response, Trimpell managed 99-9 from 45 overs with Steve Beniston top scoring on 41. Sam Conroy was Westgate's leading wicket taker with figures of 8-42.

Westgate dropped behind Carnforth in the race for this year's title as Trimpell hung on for a draw. Carnforth lead by 5 points with 4 games to go - an exciting end to the season.

The game was notable for an outstanding individual performance from 20 year old Sam Conroy who bowled with hostility, pace and aggression on a wicket which having been drowned by the recent monsoon weather was difficult to score on but was easy to stay in on.

Batting first Craig Buchanan with 21 assisted Dylan Conroy (a responsible 39) and Andy Hill, 37 to take the visitors to an above par score of 148.

For Trimpell Rob Cope bowled economically to take 3 for 23 and with Steve Beniston (2 for 34) and the evergreen Peter McDermid made up a trio of elder statesmen who bowled 33 overs between them. 13 year old Ollie Wilson was then given his chance and returned figures of 2 for 15.

The Trimpell reply began steadily with the first wicket falling in the seventh over to Sam Conroy who then destroyed their batting line - up taking six wickets in 18 balls, five bowled and one LBW. The score was 22 - 6. Mo Patel, 28 and Steve Beniston, 41 then gave the reply some respectability with a stand of 40 before Mo was run - out by a brilliant piece of fielding by Sam Conroy (of course).

Rob Cope then played the anchor role and the eighth wicket did not fall until the 35th over and it went to the returning remarkable Sam Conroy, who then claimed his eighth wicket in the 41st over before Cope and McDermid batted through to the end of the innings and 99 for 9.

Sam will see his name on the Honours Board at Westgate with his 8 for 42 and I believe there is more twists to come in the title run in.