NETHERFIELD cemented their position at the top of the Northern Premier League Division One table with an emphatic seven-wicket win against Morecambe.

Tom Williamson’s first innings return of 3-31 and Nathan Chambers' 3-17 saw Morecambe all out for 148 off 48.3 overs.

John Huck then hit 55 not out to guide Netherfield to victory as they closed on 149-3 from 41.1 overs.

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After winning the toss and electing to field, Netherfield had to be patient while the opening partnership of Viraj Bhati and Lewis Smith dug in with a first wicket stand of 46.

Netherfield soon made inroads into the visitors attack after Lewis Richardson bowled Smith for 16 off 43 balls before Sri Lankan Professional Ashan Priyanyan was caught behind by former Morecambe player Lewis Edge from Joe Portman's delivery.

Morecambe recovered to 103 largely thanks to Bhati's innings-high 57 off 81 balls, but Obus Pienaar caught and bowled the opener who played a loose shot into the hands of the South African all rounder.

Once Bhati had been dismissed Morecambe collapsed from 103 to 112-7 as Huck ran out Laurence Read, before Williamson dismissed Luke Pearson who fell to a good catch by Huck, Eddie Read was trapped LBW, and Ryan Pearson who was caught behind by Lewis Edge.

Netherfield cleaned the tail up as Chambers picked up the wicket of Adam Derham who was stumped by Edge, before Chambers collected the wickets of Tommy Clough who picked out Pienaar before Jamie Cassidy was bowled as Morecambe were all out for 148.

The reply started well for the hosts when former Morecambe captain Josh Dixon and current Netherfield skipper Ben Barrow put on a solid first wicket partnership of 65.

Morecambe gave themselves some hope after Barrow picked out Bhati off the bowling of Ashan Priyanjan, while Pienaar and Dixon, who went for a steady knock of 31 off 83 balls, were both trapped LBW by Tommy Clough with Netherfield under some pressure on 83-3.

The visitors continued to turn up the heat while Huck and Edge kept the runs ticking over.

However Huck let loose with an imposing undefeated 55. Huck, who posted his second consecutive half century, kept Netherfield on course for the win by hitting five fours and three sixes, while Edge scored the winning runs with the former Morecambe player undefeated on 14 off 34 balls as Netherfield closed on 149-3.

Netherfield travel to Barrow on Saturday before playing the Twenty-20 double header against Lancaster and Morecambe at Parkside Road on Sunday.