Netherfield v St Annes

Netherfield left it late before defeating relegation threatened St Anne’s at Parkside Road. Bevan Smalls dismissal of Henry Higson after 49.2 overs, saw Netherfield bowl St Anne’s out for 152 after they were initially set an imposing chase of 234-9.

Small had earlier posted an imposing first innings knock of 85-89 balls, before Joel Blains second innings return of 6-59 edged Netherfield to a victory which sees them just ?/ behind league leaders Leyland.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat on a red hot day at Parkside Road and for the opening exchanges both Ben Barrow and Josh Dixon batted sensibly after they posted a first wicket partnership of 33.

However while the heat continued to build over Parkside Road, St Anne’s made the breakthrough after Dixon was trapped LBW by Henry Higson.

St Anne’s buoyed by the dismissal of Dixon had further reason to celebrate when Barrow picked out Mohammed Nadeem off the bowling of Amar Ullah.

Small and Finlay Richardson pushed the score onto 82, before St Annes checked the home team’s momentum after Richardson was caught by Nadeem off the bowling of Ullah.

However undeterred by the dismissal of Richardson both Small and Brad Earl combined and made the visitors toil with Netherfield surging ahead onto 151.

Earl who posted 49 off 48 balls fell one short of a half century after he was bowled by Nadeem, Edge who made his return to the first team scored 16 before the former Morecambe player saw his big hit for six caught on the boundary by Higson off the bowling of Nadeem.

Lewis Richardson fell for 15 when he was trapped LBW by Matthew Yeadon before Small who top scored with 85 saw his fine innings come to a close after the New Zealander was dismissed by Thomas Bradley.

Netherfield finished on 234-9 after Staines ran out Matt Jackson before Bradley bowled Marc Hadwin.

In reply Bevan Small made the early breakthrough after he trapped Tim Smithies LBW,before Joel Blain who was just brought into the attack claimed the wicket of Josh Taylor who picked out Small. Mohammed Nadeem and Tom Higson began to frustrate Netherfield, however Marc Hadwin finally broke the partnership after he trapped Nadeem LBW while the spinner saw off Higson for 48.

St Annes remained on the defensive after they blocked out an frustrated the Netherfield attack, however the home team finally made inroads into the visitors lower order when Blain picked up the wickets of Richard Staines and Ben Reader. Ullah proved to be the main thorn in Netherfields attack with a resistant knock of 27, before Blain dismissed the Indian Professional who’s mistimed drive for 6 was caught by Lewis Richardson.

Blain finished with figures of 6-49 when he saw off Liam Castellas and Thomas Bradley, however Henry Higson and Matthew Yeadon frustrated Netherfield after they forced the game into the final over. However with 4 balls to spare Bevan Small clean bowled Higson with St Annes all out for 152. Netherfield travel to Longridge on Saturday before they go to Garstang on Sunday for Twenty-20 finals day where they face Fleetwood at 2pm.

Would you mention in the paper that Cumberland play Cambridgeshire in a three day game from Sunday 7 to Tuesday 9 July, in the Minor Counties Championship.

The three day game takes place at Netherfield Cricket Club and gets underway at 11 am.

Netherfield Seconds lost by 44 runs at Fleetwood in Palace Shield Division One B, Fleetwood closed on 227-7 off 45, Fraser Par top scored with 60, while Jack Wilkinson scored an unbeaten 42.

Isaac Medhurst weighed in with figures of 3-7, in reply Netherfield were restricted to 183-7, Fraser Kay top scored with 60, Stephen Jones made 24 while Isaac Medhurst closed undefeated on 23.

Jeremy Davies claimed figures of 3-41.