NETHERFIELD Cricket Club came unstuck in their effort to topple high-flying Leyland on Saturday when they were comprehensively beaten by 55 runs.

Second-placed Leyland sit just seven points behind league leaders Blackpool and looked like tricky opponents from the off.

After groundsmen did their job to turn a soggy pitch into a playable wicket, hosts Leyland won the toss and opted to bat.

The Leyland batsmen made a series of starts but Henry Thompson's 32 was the biggest contribution as they declared on 139-5 after frustrating the Netherfield bowlers.

Netherfield's response started brightly with Barrow and Nathan Dixon getting to 32. But David Makinson soon had the demolition job under way when he had Barrow edging to Frenz behind the stumps for 18.

Bretherton (24-6) was the star of the show and was backed up well by Makinson (12-4).

The Field collected one point for their five wickets, with Leyland taking 15 points to keep the pressure on Blackpool.

See Thursday's Westmorland Gazette for the full report.