NETHERFIELD have been hit with their first loss in their four games against Garstang.

The cricket club suffered a four wicket loss to the league leaders during their match at Parkside Road.

The field showed great resilience especially in the first innings after they recovered from a poor start as they toiled on 5-3 before being under further pressure at 42-5 where Brad Earl’s knock of 76 off 100 balls led the recovery.

Garstangs Ian Walling returned figures of 6-38, before both Oli Wileman and Louis Backhouse guided Matt Jackson’s team to a competitive total of 171-8.

In reply, knocks of 42 by Mark Walling and 39 from Indian Professional Punit Bisht saw the visitors start their innings well and while Netherfield fought back, Matthew Crowther’s knock of 19 as well as Tom Wells undefeated score of 10 saw Garstang to victory after they closed on 173-6 off 47.1 overs.

Netherfield who lost the toss and were put into bat made the worst possible start after Ian Walling picked up three quick wickets after he bowled Ben Barrow, before taking the wickets of Finlay Richardson and Reece Irving.

South African Sub Professional C J Van Der Walt who flew in from Ireland on Friday night for the game lasted just 19 balls before he was bowled for 8 while John Mason departed soon after with Walling taking both of the wickets.

Brad Earl and Dan Bernet began the recovery for Netherfield where Earl batted superbly well, with Bernet showing resistance after he faced 73 balls.

Garstang under some pressure turned the game in their favour when Danny Gilbert bowled Bernet for 20 before Walling returned figures of 6-38 when he bowled Brad Earl who departed for an impressive knock of 76 off 100 balls.

Netherfield collapsed onto 126-8 after Punit Bisht trapped Samuel Medhurst LBW, however Oli Wilemans undefeated knock of 33 off 56 and Louis Backhouse’s undefeated 19 off 28 saw Netherfield post a competitive total of 171-8.

Netherfield made a good start after Matt Jackson claimed the wicket of Michael Walling who picked out CJ Van Der Walt, before Punit Bisht and Michael Wellings began to take the game away from the home team after they pushed the score onto 75.

John Mason broke the partnership after he caught and bowled Bisht for 39, before CJ Van Der Walt applied further pressure when he claimed the wicket of Michael Wellings who was caught by Louis Backhouse.

Dan Bernet saw off Ryan Pearson, Netherfield were back in the game however Mark Wallings resistant score of 42 off 78 balls saw Garstang recover before Louis Backhouse brought back into the attack gave Matt Jacksons team some late hope after he bowled Walling.

Garstang remained composed where Matt Crowther scored a crucial knock of 19 off 40 and while Louis Backhouse claimed the wicket of Crowther, the visitors edged closer to victory which was eventually sealed by Tom Wells undefeated 10 and Danny Gilberts undefeated 5 as Garstang closed on 173-6.

Netherfield travel to Blackpool on Saturday before hosting Kendal on Sunday in the quarter finals of The 40 over Cup.