NETHERFIELD Cricket Club defeated Chorley by five wickets in a rain affected encounter at Parkside Road on Saturday.

Matt Jackson returned first innings figures of 5-55, while Chorley professional Gayan Maneeshan fell just short of a century as he posted 97 from 116 deliveries as the visitors made 238-9 off 50 overs.

However, Netherfield were set a revised total of 215 after a lengthy rain delay midway through the second innings.

Once play resumed, Brad Earl’s quickfire 30 off 19 balls and Lewis Edges undefeated 34 off 17 helped Netherfield close on 215-5 off 37.4 overs.

Chorley, who won the toss and elected to bat, made a steady start to the encounter with Stuart Naden and Wian Van Zyl posting a first wicket stand of 29.

Netherfield broke the partnership when Van Zyl was caught by Josh Dixon off the bowling of Jackson before Robbie Dwyer bowled Naden as Chorley were reduced to 61-2.

The visitors battled back as Maneeshan and Edwin Moulton pushed the score onto 116.

Netherfield though broke through when Moulton was stumped by wicketkeeper Edge from a Marc Hadwin delivery.

Chorley rebuilt their innings through Maneeshan and Will Moulton who guided the visitors onto 190.

Netherfield slowed the visitors down when Harrison Cox bowled Will Moulton.

Jackson turned the game in the home team’s favour when the former Torrisholme captain dismissed Alexander Howarth and Harry Barclay before taking the prize wicket of Maneeshan who was caught by Dwyer, with the Sri Lankan Professional falling three short of a century.

Chorley at that stage were on 200-7 but surged along thanks to a 23-run boost by Gaurav Dhar to see the visitors close in on a competitive first innings total.

Harrison Cox took the wicket of Chorley captain Andrew Holdsworth, finishing with figures of 5-55 after Dhar was dismissed, while Chorley closed on 238-9.

In reply, Ben Barrow and Josh Dixon posted a first wicket stand of 40 before Netherfield captain Barrow was caught and bowled by Edwin Moulton. Jack Boyle and Josh Dixon dug deep as Netherfield edged onto 120.

Chorley got back into the game when Boyle was caught behind by Barclay off the bowling of Dhar. However, once Boyle was dismissed, the heavens opened. Once the game resumed, 10 overs were lost, while Netherfield were set 215 of 40 overs.

Chorley at that stage started well when Dixon fell for 49 after the former Morecambe Captain was trapped LBW by Joe Barker, while John Huck was run out for 10.

Brad Earl and Lewis Edge regained the home team’s momentum as Netherfield closed in.

Earl, whose knock of 30 included three fours and two, sixes was dismissed after he picked out Barclay following a good delivery by Dhar.

Lewis Edge and Lewis Richardson guided Netherfield to victory before Richardson sealed the win after driving the ball beyond the boundary ropes for four, as Netherfield closed on 215-5 off 37.4 overs.