Cricket - Smashing time for Netherfield batters
11:40am Sunday 18th May 2008
THE Netherfield batsmen were in glorious run-making mood on Saturday, smashing their way to 263-7 at home to St Annes before romping to a 124-run victory.
Skipper Chris Parry led the run onslaught and narrowly missed out on a century when bowled for 95.
Professional Callum Ferguson made 80 and he and Parry added 168 for the second wicket in 30.5 overs.
There were supporitng knocks from Ben Haddrick (29), Oliver Hill (24) and Craig Walmsley (21).
Stephen Twist was the most successful St Annes bowler with 4-64 off 16 overs.
Twist was also St Annes' top scorer with the bat, his 52 offering the most resistance to the Netherfield bowlers who dismissed the visitors for 139 in 41.2 overs.
Leg-spinner Marc Hadwin picked up 5-27 off 12 overs to get the Saints marching out.
Kendal suffered a two-wicket defeat at Blackpool, despite running their opponents close in a low-scoring match.
Kendal were ushered out for just 89 in 34.4 overs with only Terry Hunte (37) and Stuart Parkin in double figures.
Professional Ross McMillan was adjudged lbw for four.
Andrew Hogarth ran through the lower order to take 5-9 off 9.4 overs after Richard Gleeson (3-44) and Sajeewah Weerakoon (2-32) made the breakthroughs earlier in the innings.
Blackpool still surrendered eight wickets in reaching their lowly target with none of the batsmen getting above the mid-20s.
They won the match at 90-8 in 41.4 overs with Kendal's bowling spoils shared by pro McMillan taking 5-19 and Kevin Howarth 3-23.