NETHERFIELD Cricket Club cemented their position at the top of Northern Premier League with a dramatic nine-run victory against Penrith at Parkside Road.

Ben Barrow top scored with 54 from 118 balls in the first innings as Netherfield were all out for a below-par total of 132.

However, they fought back in the second innings as Tom Williamson returned figures of 5-23, while Marc Hadwin bowled 4-44 as Penrith were bowled out for 123.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Netherfield made a bad start with both Josh Dixon and Obus Pienaar being dismissed by Greg Hall. Dixon was the first wicket to fall after being caught behind by Kieran Trevaskis, before Pienaar picked out Penrith captain Jonathan Osbourne as Netherfield slumped to 9-2.

Barrow and Williamson began to get run runs on the board, pushing Netherfield beyond 50, but Penrith broke the partnership when Williamson was stumped by Trevaskis off the bowling of Osbourne.

Netherfield's batting woes continued when Lewis Edge, Brad Earl and Dan Ingham were dismissed by Indian sub professional Chirag Khurana, while Netherfield slipped to 72-6.

The Field edged closer to 100 thanks to Lewis Richardson and Barrow, before Jessie Dinnie bowled Richardson for nine.

Mark Clarkson hit a quick knock of 14 off 23 before being run out by Owen Jones, while Dinnie picked up his second wicket to dismiss Marc Hadwin.

Netherfield were bowled out for 132 as Barrow was bowled for 54 by Khurana who finished with figures of 4-32.

In reply, Netherfield applied a lot of pressure on the Penrith openers but Greg Cameron and Sam Hall put on a steady first-wicket stand of 39.

Netherfield made the breakthrough when Hadwin trapped Cameron LBW, before Pienaar bowled Hall as Penrith lost the pair in the space of three runs.

Williamson was brought into the attack and trapped Dinnie LBW, with Penrith still in a strong position at 57-3. Trevaskis and Chirag Khurana edged the visitors towards a likely victory as they reached 81, before Trevaskis picked out Ingham off the bowling of Hadwin.

Khurana and Greg Hall pushed the visitors onto 101 as Penrith required 32 runs to win, but Williamson changed the game after picking up the quick wickets of Hall and Osbourne.

From that point, Penrith collapsed as Hadwin trapped Mark Osbourne LBW, while Williamson claimed the prize wicket of Khurana who was caught behind by Edge.

Williamson completed his five-wicket haul by taking the wicket of Jamie O'Brien who was caught by Barrow as Netherfield edged closer to victory. Hadwin then dismissed Owen Jones whose drive for six fell into the hands of Pienaar as Netherfield celebrated the most dramatic of victories as Penrith were all out for 123 off 48 overs.

Netherfield host Preston on Saturday before travelling to play Monton and Weaste from the Greater Manchester League on Sunday in the Area Twenty-20 finals.