Cricket - Netherfield hold leading role for last-day finish (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cricket - Netherfield hold leading role for last-day finish

10:52am Saturday 13th September 2008 in Cricket By Gazette Sports

A COMPLETE washout of fixtures in the 3-D Sports Northern Cricket League last weekend means that the First Division championship will be decided on the final day of the season this Saturday.

Netherfield on 197 points still hold a three-point lead over Blackpool (194) in second place, with Morecambe (192) in third and Kendal (191) in fourth, all capable of taking the title if the results go their way.

Two of the top four contenders are set to meet, with Netherfield due to travel to Morecambe’s Woodhill Lane ground, where they know that a win is needed if they are to finish top of the table.

Blackpool, whose ground was virutally under water at the weekend, host Chorley, while Kendal have home advantage with Preston set to visit Shap Road (all matches start at 12.30pm).

The toss could be crucial and if Netherfield skipper Chris Parry guesses right then he will have to decide whether to go for a possible 15-point maximum victory by opting to bat, with the risk that his side might be held up for a draw if they cannot bowl out their opponents.

If Netherfield bat second then a win will be worth 12 points, which if Blackpool take the full quota, would leave the teams on the same number of points.

The rules state that in such an eventuality, the title will be decided by most wins and Blackpool have 12 at present to Netherfield’s ten.

Any regional variation in the weather, too, could play a part but, all in all, it looks a compelling climax to the season for all concerned.