CRICKET: Huck and Brown guide Netherfield to victory over Lancaster

BIG-hitter John Huck excelled with the bat to guide Netherfield to only their third home win of the season in a five-wicket victory over Lancaster at Parkside Road.

Pakistan international Rameez Raja hit a century as the visitors posted 232 all out before Huck, helped by an innings of 79 by skipper Marc Brown, eased Netherfield to the twelve point win.

Lancaster put themselves into bat and got off to a steady start when Jamie Heywood and Alex Metcalfe put on 37 for the first wicket.

However a bowling change which brought Ryan Wilson into the attack for Mark Clarkson paid almost instant dividends when he trapped Heywood LBW for 10.

The momentum quickly swung in Netherfield's favour as pro Dieter Klein dismissed Metcalfe for 22, with Lancaster now struggling on 38-2.

The visitors managed to guide themselves to 72 before Nathan Chambers dispatched of Charlie Swarbrick (14) as Brown collected the catch.

Lancaster dug in thanks to Raja and Samuel Moorby, who together guided the visitors on to 132.

But Chambers sprung into action as he claimed the two quick wickets of Moorby (20) and Danny Welbourne (0), who were sent back to the pavilion as their side struggled on 132-5 off 33 overs.

Twenty-20 star Raja was in red hot form as he posted a top scoring knock of 107 off 132 balls to give a boost to Lancaster's total.

Despite Raja's best efforts, Netherfield gained control when Ben Simm fell to Klein before Chambers (5-44) finally saw off Raja and Chambers took his fifth wicket when Iain Burstow picked out Brad Earl.

In reply Netherfield got off to a slow start as the normally free-scoring Rick Potter was bowled by Liam Moffatt for 1.

However despite the early shock, both Ben Barrow and Brown battled back until Barrow found Raja off the bowling of Simm for 27 off 63 balls.

With Netherfield on 86-2, they then lost Klein for 0 - the first time he has failed to score in the league - as he was bowled by Simm as the hosts were struggling on 94-3.

Klein's dismissal brought Brown and Huck together at the crease and the duo gained control of the innings before skipper Brown was trapped LBW for by Simm.

Huck and Joe Atkinson put a partnership of 77 to leave Netherfield on the verge of victory.

Atkinson hit a useful 23 off 42 balls before Tom Williamson, who moved from Lancaster to Netherfield this season, hit a six to secure the win.