A POOR first innings batting performance saw Netherfield lose by 6 wickets to Blackpool at Parkside Road.

Matthew Grindley's first innings return of 4-36 saw Netherfield bowled out for just 94 off 43.3 overs.

Grindley, who used to open the bowling for St Anne’s, all but ended Netherfield’s hopes of winning the Northern League title with an impressive display which saw Netherfield struggle. And while the 'Field battled during the second innings Ockert Erasmus’s undefeated knock of 33 off 37 balls guided Blackpool to a victory which keeps their faint hopes of retaining the Northern League title alive.

After the washout from the previous weekend both teams were greeted with sunshine on a warm afternoon at Parkside Road.

And after losing the toss and being put into bat, Ben Barrow and Josh Dixon put on a hard-fought first wicket partnership of 22 after they fended off the opening bowling attack of Grindley and Andy Furniss.

Blackpool quickly made inroads into Netherfield’s attack after Grindley bowled Josh Dixon before claiming the wickets of Bevan Small and Ben Barrow, who were both caught behind by Ben Howarth.

Grindley, who finished with figures of 4-36, bowled Lewis Edge while Netherfield toiled on 39-4. Finlay Richardson and Brad Earl attempted to rebuild the innings, guiding the hosts on to 60.

Blackpool, though, gained control after Ockert Erasmus trapped Finlay Richardson LBW, and while Brad Earl battled for a resistant 30 he was the next man to fall when he picked out Grindley off the bowling of Tomas King.

Lewis Richardson stayed in for 33 balls before he was dismissed by King, while Joel Derham was run out with Netherfield at that stage on 86-8.

Howarth, who had claimed three catches during the first innings, stumped Joel Blain off the bowling of King, who returned figures of 3-12, before Erasmus bowled Matt Jackson with Netherfield all out for 94 off 43.2 overs.

Netherfield made the early breakthrough at the start of the second innings when Matt Jackson picked up the wicket of King, who was caught behind by Lewis Edge.

However, with such a low score on the board, Blackpool continued to score the runs with Sam Dutton and Ciaran Johnson guiding the visitors on to 29.

Netherfield applied some pressure after Bevan Small picked up the wicket of Dutton, who was caught by Ben Barrow. However, Ciaran Johnson's knock of 27 edged the visitors closer to victory.

The 'Field picked up two late wickets when Joel Derham saw off Johnson while Jackson bowled Joshua Boyne for 12.

However, Ockert Erasmus’s undefeated knock of 33 off 37 balls as well as Craig Brown's undefeated 7 saw Blackpool to victory, closing on 95-4 off 24.5 overs.

Netherfield host Penrith on Saturday.

* Netherfield Seconds lost by 5 wickets at Blackpool. Netherfield were restricted to 136-7 off 45 overs.

In reply Blackpool closed on 138-5 off 42 overs

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