Netherfield blast open title race (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Netherfield blast open title race

10:29am Saturday 30th August 2008 in Cricket

NETHERFIELD threw the title battle in the first division of the 3-D Sports Northern Premier League wide open on Saturday with a stunning 97-run victory over Blackpool, who suffered a disastrous weekend.

Professional Callum Ferguson overhauled Netherfield club's batting record on Saturday and now needs 148 from the last three remaining fixtures to beat Terry Hunte's Northern League aggregate record of 1,351 set in 1994.

Blackpool arrived as table-toppers and with Chris Parry on holiday, Tommy Prime stood in as skipper and won the toss and took the team out to bat.

An opening partnership of 79 - the best of the season - justified the decision as Craig Walmsley (46) and Simon Little (33) laid the foundations for a handy score.

Little was first to go lbw in the 24th over and Walmsley for the addition of just three runs to leave the host at 82-2.

Three good stands of 34, 29, 26 followed with John Huck (5) helping Ferguson, who was fourth man down when caught and bowled by professional Saj Weerakoon for 46 with the score on 145 and eight overs remaining.

Valuable runs in the late push came from Ben Haddrick (20) and Chris Miller (30), who thrashed three sixes in a nine-ball spell, and, though Prime's run-out of the last ball was to give Blackpool a bowling point, it all added up to a useful total of 200-7.

Blackpool nerves showed in reply and they stood at 37-3, of which Luis Reece had made 18 before he became one of five lbw decisions in the innings.

A stand of 39 between Mike Taylor and Paul Danson rallied the visitors to 76 before two quick wickets gave back the initiative to Netherfield.

Thirty-one runs were added to lift Blackpool to 97 when Marc Hadwin blitzed them with his leg-spin as they sensationally lost their last four wickets in the space of three overs. Hadwin finished with an amazing 4-0 off his 21-ball spell - including three maidens.

Blackpool were left wondering what had hit them at 103 all out with Ferguson also sharing in the bowling spoils with 5-42, another great all-round performance.