KENDAL captain Chris Miller is hoping their dramatic derby day victory over Netherfield can be the springboard for the rest of the season.

Both teams went in to Monday's clash low in confidence, victories and runs so it was always going to be a nervy affair at Parkside Road - and so it proved.

It took a gutsy last wicket stand from Miller and Stu Parkin - both used to taking wickets rather than making runs - to guide Kendal to only their second win of the season.

The pair came together with Kendal on the brink of defeat, nine wickets down and still needing 32 runs for victory. And they were up against Mark Clarkson who was in inspired form with the ball for Netherfield, eventually returning season best figures of 6-44.

But where Clarkson was inspired, Miller and Parkin were gutsy.

And in the end, it was a captain's performance from Miller, scoring 24 that included the winning runs.

"You could see what it meant to the lads when we came off the pitch," said Miller. "You always want to win derby matches but this one felt extra special because we are both doing pretty badly at the moment. It was a wonderful feeling to get one over Netherfield at last."

Miller admitted he was more nervous for his bowling buddy at the other end as Parkin defended his wicket superbly for his nine wickets.

"Stu was fantastic," he added. "They went after him and he stood up to it. For me, it was great to be able to play a captain's innings and getting the winning runs.

"People say I can bat a bit but just lack confidence so it was nice to come through under all that pressure.

"However, it is no use if we can't build on this win so hopefully this could be the springboard for the rest of the season."

Netherfield won the toss and opted to bat with captain Marc Brown, who has struggled for runs so far this season, moving himself down to number five.

The all too familiar early collapse was in evidence again, Richard Potter, promoted to opener, going for four, caught by Potter off sub professional Juan De Villiers.

And when Ben Barrow departed soon after for five - bowled by Parkin, caught by Richard Herron - Netherfield were 10-2 and there was a sense of the inevitable.

But this time Netherfield recovered. John Huck and professional Dieter Klein took the total along to 63, Huck scoring 16 from 37 balls before he was bowled by Saeed Bariwala.

The unfortunate Brown, who just can't buy a run at the moment, was caught by Shepherd off Bariwala without scoring.

That brought Bradley Earl, who scored 30 at Barrow on Saturday, to the crease and he kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Klein's innings ended when he was trapped lbw by Miller for 45 but Earl was in confident mood, scoring 44 off 51 balls that included five fours and a six before he was cleaned bowled by De Villiers, on loan from East Lancs in the Lancashire League.

While Brendon Herron (4), Daniel Gaunt (5) and Clarkson (3) all went cheaply, a last wicket stand from Nathan Chambers (24) and Ryan Wilson (11) was potentially match-winning. However, they were to be upstaged by another last wicket stand.

In reply, Kendal's innings was far less spectacular but crucially everyone chipped in throughout the order.

Darren Braithwaite (11) and Paul Dodds (19) put on 25 for the opening wicket before the both fell to the bowled Clarkson, caught Gaunt combination.

Shepherd was Clarkson's third victim, this time caught by Potter for five before De Villiers (30), Bariwala (15) and Shane Hyland (20) helped Kendal get to within touching distance of their hosts total.

But when Herron went for two, Darren Nightingale for seven and Sam Dyson for one, it only seemed a matter of time before Netherfield would wrap up the tail-enders.

But Miller and Parkin had other ideas.

It means Kendal host Penrith on Saturday with confidence boosted while Netherfield go to Lancaster wondering about the one that got away.