Netherfield edge closer to Finals Day
Walmsley the match-winner in Kendal derby
Craig Walmsley hits out during his match winning innings |
Netherfield took a huge step towards qualifying for Twenty20 Finals Day by completing a double success over neighbours Kendal before a large crowd on a glorious summer's evening at Parkside Road.
Chris Parry's men have now won their first three group games and travel to holders Barrow on Friday week (10 July) with their destiny very much in their own hands.
A Netherfield win would see them qualify and their superior run rate means that they may still hold the whip hand even if they lose
Netherfield have scored 488 runs in 60 overs (run rate 8.13) to Barrow's 385 runs in 53 overs (run rate 7.26).
If Barrow, for example, bat first and score 160 in 20 overs Netherfield could still qualify if they lose so long as they score 110.
If Netherfield bat first and score, for example, 160 in 20 overs Barrow would have to knock off the runs in 14 overs to qualify.
The added incentive for the winners of this group is that they host Finals Day on Sunday 26 July.
In front of a crowd of around 200 Netherfield batted first and posted 152 for 7 in their 20 overs.
In-form opener Craig Walmsley rode his luck and survived two dropped catches to hit 60 in 11 overs including seven fours and two sixes.
But with the other top order home batsmen failing to fire Netherfield were precariously placed at 89 for 5 when Walmsley was bowled by Nick Lewthwaite.
Craig Walmsley hits a boundary on his way to 60 |
Stuart Parkin bowled the prolific Glen Batticciotto for one while brothers Mark and Nick Phillips each bowled tidily, the former taking one for 21 and the latter two for 22.
Chris Miller and Olly Hill steered Netherfield towards a challenging total with some sensible batting, adding 45 in the last four overs. Both batsmen finished 23 not out.
Kendal's victory hopes disappeared when professional and captain Ross McMillan and Terry Hunte both holed out in the deep to finely judged catches by Netherfield captain Chris Parry.
That left Kendal 44 for 2 in the tenth over.
Opener Gareth Ashburner hit 33 before being caught by Hill in the 16th over while Mark Phillips was caught behind by Shane Dixon off Scott Clement for 17.
Dixon also made a superb stumping standing up to Clement to dismiss Parkin.
Kendal closed on 103 for 7 to go down by 49 runs just before half past nine. Clement and Miller each took two wickets.
Gareth Ashburner provided the main Kendal resistance |
The Netherfield ground looked a picture and the match was well presented by the host club with the musical interludes adding to the occasion.
Both Kendal derbies staged in the last week have shown up Northern League Twenty20 cricket in the best possible light and Netherfield and Kendal are to be commended for their efforts.
Parkside Road looked a picture |
