A HIGH scoring game ended in defeat for Netherfield who lost by 32 runs to Morecambe at Parkside Road.

Morecambe capitalised on the perfect batting track after posting a dominating first innings score of 270-7, with South African Professional Rongsen Jonathan top scoring with 57, while contributions of 56 from Charlie Swarbrick and 59 by Alex Briggs left Netherfield with a mountain to climb.

BOWL: Oli Wileman bowling (Article and photographs by Richard Edmondson)

BOWL: Oli Wileman bowling (Article and photographs by Richard Edmondson)

And Netherfield battled in their reply after James Bowman scored 70 off 83 balls however Liam Moffats second innings return of 5-72 did the damage as Netherfield were bowled out for 239 off 49.2 overs.

Netherfield who lost the toss and were put into field made an impressive start after Shrikant Mundhe picked up the wickets of both Gareth Pedder and Luke Pearson with Pearson caught behind by Finlay Richardson.

However, Charlie Swarbrick and Rongsen Jonathan were in relentless form after posting a commanding third wicket stand of 93.

Swarbrick who used to play for Lancaster hit some unstoppable drives posting 56 off just 53 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes.

Netherfield desperate for a wicket finally broke the partnership after Lewis Richardson picked up the wicket of Charlie Swarbrick who saw his mistimed effort fall into the hands of former Morecambe captain Josh Dixon.

CRICKET: Ben Barrow (Article and photographs by Richard Edmondson)

CRICKET: Ben Barrow (Article and photographs by Richard Edmondson)

Morecambe who at that stage were on 120-3, accelerated their score onto 170, before Samuel Medhurst bowled Ryan Pearson for 18.

However, Rongsen Jonathan and Alex Briggs pushed Morecambe into a strong position where the visitors surged onto 227.

Netherfield toiling in the field finally saw off Jonathan for 97 after he was bowled by Samuel Medhurst before Medhurst claimed his third wicket soon after following the dismissal of Kieran Moffat who was caught by Mundhe.

Matt Jackson brought back into the attack saw off Reuben Orr, while Alex Briggs closed undefeated on 59 off 64 balls with Morecambe posting an impossible total of 270-7 off 50 overs.

Netherfield to their credit attempted to chase down Morecambes score and made a quick start after both Ben Barrow put on 34 for the first wicket.

Morecambe slowed the run rate down after Liam Moffat picked up the wicket of Ben Barrow who was caught by Alex Briggs before Moffat ripped through the hosts after he saw off Lewis Richardson, Shrikant Mundhe and Josh Dixon with Netherfield toiling on 56-4.

Finlay Richardson and Brad Earl attempted to rebuild the innings, however Richardson who had posted 19 off 24 balls was the next to depart after he picked out Rongsen off the bowling of Louis Backhouse.

CRICKET: Isaac Medhurst bowling (Article and photographs by Richard Edmondson)

CRICKET: Isaac Medhurst bowling (Article and photographs by Richard Edmondson)

Netherfield continued to lose wickets after Brad Earls mistimed drive picked out Backhouse of the bowling of Jamie Cassidy, while Charlie Swarbrick bowled Oli Wileman.

And when Rongsen Jonathan trapped Isaac Medhurst LBW, Netherfield were on the brink of defeat.

However, James Bowman batting at number 7 posted a stunning knock of 70 off 83 balls after he and Samuel Medhurst attempted to stay in the game with Netherfield edging ahead onto 220.

Morecambe eventually regained control after Moffat bowled Bowman, as the game went into the final over before the visitors finished the game off when Matt Jackson was bowled by Rongsen Jonathan in the final over with Netherfield all out for 239 off 49.2 overs.

Netherfield travel to play Leyland on Saturday.