SKIPPER Marc Brown believes the exasperating nature of Netherfield’s final weekend of the summer in many respects typifies their entire league campaign.

Preston left Parkside Road with a winning draw on Saturday while Brown’s boys were unable to end with a win against Lancashire Colts on Sunday, which culminated in a ninth-place finish.

With thoughts already on next season, the former Carlisle batsman believes his side need to develop their playing style, particularly away from home.

“It’s been one of those frustrating seasons really and the weekend was no different,” he said.

“We were in a comfortable position in our run-chase on Saturday but the way the rules work, there was a situation where we lost overs but still needed the same amount of runs when the rain came.

“In the end it was an absolute farce. I could have shaken hands with the umpires and their skipper and taken four points but I decided to gamble and go for 12.

“It was a shame as we tried hard to get a game going and did our best to force a result.

“And Sunday was also frustrating with the way we batted. In the end we could have bowled them out but it was good to finish with a positive winning draw.

“The league campaign has been disappointing generally and we’ve just been too inconsistent at times.

“We probably play on the best ground in the league and the best pitch so when we go away from home we need to show a different side to our game and play some ugly, basic cricket.”

Despite indifferent league form, cup competitions have been happier hunting grounds and Netherfield were crowned TWP Wealth Twenty20 champions in July after beating Darwen.

And while ultimately falling to Ormskirk in the ECB National T20 Area Final after a semi-final victory over Astley Bridge, Brown was proud of his side’s endeavours.

"I remember saying at the start of the season that realistically we can do well in the cups and we are a team that lines up well in t20 cricket,” he added.

“We won the competition and went on to represent the league in the next stage and in my first season here as captain that was a magnificent achievement with a reasonably young team.

“It was great for the players and the club as a whole, especially with the financial rewards which were secured.”

Together with wicketkeeper John Huck, Brown will spend the winter in Australia playing for Melbourne outfit North Balwyn of the Eastern Cricket Association, as well as fulfilling coaching duties.

So with cricket never far from the forefront of his mind, Brown fully expects to see some new faces lining up for Netherfield next season in a bid to reinforce the squad.

“Every club will be looking to strengthen and we’ll be one of those so hopefully we can pick a few new players and bolster what is already a reasonably good squad," he said.