Morecambe goalkeeper stars in Westgate Cricket Club win

Morecambe FC’s Andreas Arestidou swapped goalkeeping gloves for batting ones to help Westgate to a seven-run victory over Shireshead in Division One of the Westmorland Cricket League on Saturday.
Andreas Arestidou in action for Westgate against Shireshead. Picture: Tony NorthAndreas Arestidou in action for Westgate against Shireshead. Picture: Tony North
Andreas Arestidou in action for Westgate against Shireshead. Picture: Tony North

The Shrimps stopper scored 21 and captain Andy Hill 25 as Westgate posted 98 with Dylan Conroy’s 5-21 then helping bowl out the visitors for just 91 as the reigning champions lost their first league fixture since August 2013.

Dave Jack (4-40) soon put Westgate in trouble at 27-3 after Hill had elected to bat first.

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The hosts were desperate for someone to stick with Andy Hill (25), but the support never came as Peter Wilson (4-28) began to get in on the act, backing up Jack’s penetrating early spell.

At 68-9 Westgate looked dead and buried but on his first appearance of the season Arestidou played probably his most significant innings for the club as along with the determined Zak Buchanan (13 not out) he helped add an invaluable 30 for the last wicket, a partnership that ultimately turned out to be the difference between the two sides.

Rowan Upton (2 for 16) claimed the final two wickets.

If the last-wicket stand had just about dragged Westgate back into the game then things were looking really good for the hosts when Conroy ran through the top order.

Phil Bovis (29) provided some resistance but when he fell to Andy Nisbet (3-13) the score was 47-5 and the game was well and truly in the balance.

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Wilson (21) was still at the crease however and with Paul Yates (4) supporting him the pair took re the scoto 71.

The game swung again on a double strike with Hill bowling Wilson and Gary Tattersall trapping Yates leg before as the momentum shifted to the home side.

A lot now depended on Jack but the returning Conroy cleaned up the tail, with David Lord taking an excellent catch off Nisbet to seal the win for Westgate.

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