NETHERIFELD Cricket were left with an unsatisfying conclusion to their game against Blackpool after the match was called off at the end of the first innings.

Persistent rain washed out a potentially interesting second innings where Netherfield had posted a score of 159 after New Zealand Overseas Amateur Dan Bernet top scored with 63 off 99 balls. 

Bernets knock as well as Brad Earls contribution of 38 saw Netherfield recover from a perilous position where the Field were toiling on 38-5.

Lancashire County cricket star Richard Gleeson played for Blackpool and returned figures of 2-28 while Matthew Gridley’s 4-40 saw the visitors cause problems for Matt Jacksons team before the rain saw both teams take five points each.

Netherfield who won the toss and elected to bat made a solid start after Josh Dixon and Ben Barrow posted a first wicket stand of 34.

Blackpool turned the game in their favour after Richard Gleeson picked up the wicket of Josh Dixon who was caught by Tomas King.

Once Dixon departed Netherfield collapsed losing four wickets in quick succession where Ben Barrow picked out Stuart Ashford off the bowling of Matthew Grindley, before Grindley saw off both Finlay Richardson and new Indian Professional Asutosh Singh.

Richardson and debutant Singh were both caught by Gleeson, while Singh on debut struggled after only arriving at the Club on Thursday.

Grindley who is one of The Northern Cricket Leagues top wicket takers continued to rip through Matt Jacksons team when he trapped John Mason LBW for one with Netherfield in trouble at 38-5.

Brad Earl and Dan Bernet began the recovery with an imposing sixth wicket partnership which guided Netherfield onto 104.

Earl batted well scoring 38 off 54 balls while he picked up four boundaries as he saw off a dangerous Blackpool attack.

Blackpool broke the partnership and regained control after Earl was caught behind by Ben Howarth off the bowling of Jamie Thomson.

Bernet and Lee Hogg attempted to repel the visitor’s attack, while Hogg departed falling to Aaron Lewin, before Lewin claimed the wicket of Samuel Medhurst before seeing off Dan Bernet who fell for 63 off 99 balls.

Gleeson brought back into the attack bowled Matt Jackson where Netherfield were bowled out for 159 off 48.1 overs.

The rain began to fall at the end of the innings and while both teams waited until tea time there was no prospect of play as the game was abandoned.

Netherfield’s T20 game at Lancaster on Sunday was also rained off, while the Cumberland v Shropshire T20 due to take place at Netherfield also fell victim to the rain which caused more frustration for the Club where Samuel Medhurst was due to make his debut for the county.

Netherfield will be hoping for better weather this weekend as they travel to play Leyland on Saturday before an away game at Garstang on Sunday in the T20.