IN-FORM Netherfield climbed to sixth in the Northern League Division One table after a superb Ben Phillips century stole the show in a 65-run win against Fleetwood at Parkside Road.

The Australian notched his first three-figure score in Netherfield colours while skipper Marc Brown fell four runs short of his maiden ton of the summer as the hosts racked up 257-4.

A half century from opener Adam Parker proved insufficient as the Broadwater club continued to lose regular wickets, with slow left-armer Tom Williamson claiming 4-23.

After being invited to bat first, Ben Barrow and Brown ensured the Netherfield innings started positively as the openers shared 29 runs in the first eight overs.

The duo put on 41 for the first wicket before Barrow was bowled by Parker for 24 with the first ball of the 14th over, with Netherfield 41-1.

This united Phillips with his skipper as the partnership added an impressive 187 runs to put Netherfield in the ascendency and ensured the Fleetwood bowling unit toiled.

The hosts reached 115-1 after 27 overs with Brown’s fifth half century of the season taking the 26-year-old to 500 Northern League runs this summer.

Brown and Phillips continued to pile on the runs, passing the 200 mark in the 42nd over as Netherfield's captain perished four runs short of a century – run out while on 96.

Phillips struck 11 boundaries in total in an impressive knock of 103 before departing, caught and bowled, to South African professional Jean de Villiers.

De Villiers also bowled Huck to end with figures of 2-59 as Netherfield amassed a daunting 257-4 from their 50 overs with Phillips’ century the standout contribution.

With Netherfield searching for their fourth win in five games, Mark Clarkson struck early as Wayne Clarke edged the former Bolton-le-Sands seamer to Huck in the slips for ten.

The visitors were able to put together a number of steady partnerships although fell short of a stand which ever threatened to overall the Netherfield score.

Adam Parker and Adam Sharrocks put on 29 before the latter was run out for five, while another 22 runs was added for the third wicket.

De Villiers picked out Brown at mid-on off the bowling of Nathan Chambers for 19 with Parker also bringing up 500 runs for the campaign with a half century.

Ryan Wilson induced an edge from Parker who was caught behind by Barrow for 54 as Fleetwood’s top order were back in the pavilion before reaching three figures.

Mike Clinning was the next to go, trapped in front by Wilson – who finished with 2-28 – for 14, with Tom Wilson becoming Williamson’s first victim shortly afterwards.

Naveed Yousaf amassed 40, a knock which included three fours and a six, before holing out to man of the moment Phillips on the long on boundary.

Joe Bell and Chris Stanhope enjoyed the highest partnership of the Fleetwood innings, putting on 38 and casting a degree of doubt about the outcome of the fixture.

Saman returned to dismiss Stanhope in the second over of his second spell with Fleetwood needing to bat out the remaining 6.2 overs for a losing draw.

Bell, who smashed three sixes in a quick-fire 35 from 37 balls, picked out Phillips in the covers before Netherfield wrapped up proceedings in the 47th over.

Visiting skipper Mat Clark gave Williamson his fourth wicket, lofting the young spinner to Brown at mid-on as Netherfield prevailed by 65 runs.