Netherfield progressed into the North Regional final of The ECB National T20 Cup after they defeated both Leigh and Farnworth Social Circle in the Area T20 finals which went ahead at West Houghton Cricket Club.
The Field who are now just two games away from a National final date at Derbyshire County Cricket Club made history after they reached the last eight in the country on a memorable afternoon for Matt Jacksons team.
Netherfield were seemingly up against it in the semi-final as they played a Leigh team who were many peoples favourites to win the area finals.
Despite being one of the underdogs, Netherfield pulled off a stunning victory after they defeated Leigh by two runs.
Netherfield who won the toss and elected to bat, made a slow start after they were reduced onto 43-2 following the dismissals of Brad Earl and Dan Bernet.
Earl who opened scored 25 off just 13 balls before being trapped LBW by Finnegan Hulbert while Adam Shallcross bowled Dan Bernet.
Ben Barrow and Josh Dixon started to take the game away from Leigh while Netherfield recovered as they surged ahead onto 115.
However, Barrow who scored 44 off just 37 became the next wicket to fall after he picked out Harry Church off the bowling of Nathan Graham. And Leigh buoyed by the dismissal gained further momentum when Nathan Graham dismissed Bertie Medhurst while Adam Shallcross bowled Oli Wileman while Netherfield toiled on 119-5. Josh Dixons undefeated knock of 51 off 46 balls and John Masons undefeated 16 from 12 saw Netherfield recover to a competitive total of 149-5 off 20 over.
In reply, Karl Brown and Sam Dorsey posted an imposing first wicket stand of 72 while Netherfield struggled, however the Field battled on and finally made the breakthrough after Matt Jackson claimed the wicket of Brown who picked out Ben Barrow.
Once Brown was dismissed, Netherfield began to take control, after Dan Bernet claimed the wickets of both Sam Dorsey and Matthew Hibbert before John Mason picked up the wickets of Finnegan Hulbert, Harry Church, and Adam Shalcross.
Leigh began to fight back before John Mason bowled Alex Mason and when Samuel Medhurst saw off both Ton Grundy and Ben Smith, Leigh were on the brink of defeat at 134-9.
Nathan Graham and Patrick Allen closed Leigh to within two runs of victory before Netherfield saw out the final ball of the game to secure a stunning victory.
In the final Netherfield sauntered to an imposing 70 run victory against Farnworth Social Circle where Matt Jackson’s team made light work of an opponent who routed Clifton in the first semi-final.
Brad Earls first innings knock of 70 and Ben Barrows undefeated 45 off 30 balls saw Netherfield close on 168-6 off 20, before John Masons return of 3-13 as well as Louis Backhouses’ 2-19 helped the team to victory while Farnworth Social Circle were bowled out for 98 of 17.5 overs,
Netherfield will now go through to the regional finals which are scheduled to go ahead with a date too be confirmed for the fixture.
The team return to action on August 28 to play Ockbrook and Borrowash in the Regional Final at Denby Cricket Club at 1pm.
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