NETHERFIELD Cricket Club picked up a losing draw at Morecambe on Saturday in the Northern Premier Cricket League.

Vice-captain John Huck hit an unbeaten 82 from 134 deliveries in the second innings to help Netherfield recover from a perilous position having fallen to 55-5.

They eventually closed on 194-7.

Huck’s impressive display was pivotal to Netherfield avoiding defeat after they had earlier been set a daunting chase of 224-6.

Morecambe’s batsmen protected their wickets well in the in the opening 50 overs of play, with Zimbabwean professional Luke Jongwe contributing the top score with 54 off 86 balls.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Morecambe made a strong start when Lewis Smith and Luke Pearson posted a first wicket stand of 40.

Netherfield responded when Jack Boyle trapped Smith LBW for 17 off 58 balls, before Marc Hadwin picked up the wicket of Pearson who was caught behind by former Morecambe wicketkeeper Lewis Edge.

Morecambe at this stage were on 70-2 while Netherfield began to apply the pressure, before both Jongwe and Jamie Heywood pulled the game away from from the reigning champions with a resilient third wicket stand of 62.

However, Matt Jackson finally broke the partnership when the former Torrisholme captain bowled Heywood for 30 off 43 balls.

Morecambe continued to put the runs on the board when Ryan Pearson and Jongwe dug in for a dominant fifth wicket stand of 89.

The partnership saw Morecambe go onto 195.

But Netherfield soon picked up two quick wickets after Harrison Cox dispatched of Jongwe who was caught by Huck, while Nathan Chambers bowled Pearson.

Morecambe though were in control and while Cox bowled Danny Edwards, Alex Briggs’ undefeated 21 off just nine balls saw Morecambe close on 224-6..

Netherfield made a poor start in their reply as Jamie Cassidy picked up the wickets of Brad Earl, Jack Boyle and skipper Ben Barrow, while the Field slumped onto 17-3.

Morecambe continued to rip through the Netherfield top order as Josh Dixon was caught behind by Reuben Orr off the bowling of Danny Edwards, before Tommy Clough claimed the wicket of Edge while Netherfield slumped onto 55-5.

Huck and Lewis Richardson recovered the innings with a crucial sixth wicket stand of 89. The partnership saw Netherfield move onto 123 before Richardson was bowled by Edwards for 36.

Huck and Cox posted a rear guard seventh wicket stand of 90, before Cassidy finished with a return of 4-55 after bowling Cox who departed for 26.

Netherfield though closed on 193-7 when Huck and Nathan Chambers batted out the closing stages of the game.

Netherfield picked up four points while Morecambe took 11 from the encounter.

Netherfield are fourth and thirteen points off top spot.

This Saturday, they entertain newly promoted Fulwood & Broughton.