JOSH Dixon hit a first innings knock of 93 off 136 while Harrison Cox’s took 5-41 to ease Netherfield Cricket Club to an emphatic 132 run victory over newly promoted Fulwood & Broughton in a rain effected encounter at Parkside Road on Saturday.

After being put into bat by the visitors, Netherfield made a positive start when Ben Barrow and Dixon put 55 runs on the board for the first wicket.

Fulwood and Broughton battled back when Chris Brookes picked up the wickets of Barrow, Jack Boyle and John Huck while Netherfield were under some pressure on 97-3.

Brookes, who returned figures of 3-40, bowled Barrow before trapping both Boyle and Huck LBW.

However, Netherfield gained complete control of the contest when both Dixon and Brad Earl surged Netherfield onto 238.

The partnership was broken up when Dixon was finally removed, having been bowled by Dominic Jackson for 93 off 126 balls.

Netherfield, in a comfortable position on 238, then saw wicketkeeper Lewis Edge caught and bowled by Usman Sadaqat.

But Brad Earl’s spell at the crease closed the innings with an imposing undefeated knock of 83 off 61 balls.

Earl’s impressive knock included eight fours and four sixes as Netherfield closed on 239-5 off a rain reduced 46 overs.

In reply, Netherfield picked up two early wickets as Cox claimed the wickets of Mark Smith and Charlie Rossiter.

The New Zealand overseas amateur trapped Smith LBW before seeing off Rossiter who was caught by Nathan Chambers.

Fulwood and Broughton edged onto 76 before Marc Hadwin dismissed Rana Pratap Singh for 41, while Matt Jackson trapped Simon Kerrigan LBW for 17 while Fulwood and Broughton slumped onto 76-4.

Netherfield continued to take wickets, while Fulwood and Broughton toiled as Cox dismissed Matthew Smith who was caught behind by Lewis Edge, while Hadwin claimed the wickets of Rob Dingle and Dominic Jackson.

Lewis Edge ran out Chris Brookes while Fulwood slumped onto 101-8, before Cox finished the game off with a return of 5-41 after bowling both Usman Sadaqat and Matthew Hurst to secure victory while Fulwood were bowled out for 107 off 28.5 overs.

Netherfield entertain Chorley on Saturday before hosting Ramsbottom in the Lancashire Cup on Sunday.

Netherfield are now in third placed and 13 points off league leaders Blackpool.