IT was a Bank Holiday thriller for cricket fans as Kendal snatched an unlikely 17-run derby victory over Netherfield at Parkside Road.

Just like last year, Netherfield look favourites to win this fixture after leg-spinner Marc Hadwin ripped through the visitors' batting for 7-28. But the pressure told upon his team-mates when they batted, leaving the club with a disastrous weekend to ponder upon.

Pick out Terry Hunte's fine 67 from Kendal's innings and there was little to rave about as they were eventually bundled out for 116, having reached 101 before the third wicket fell.

Their last seven wickets went for a song - just 15 runs in fact and at that stage, the money was very much on the home side.

Everything seemed set fair, as thankfully the weather, for Netherfield but unstinting work by the Kendal seam attack began to gain its just reward.

After not much luck early on, though they beat the bat, their nagging accuracy eventually saw the wickets start to tumble.

A smart piece of fielding by Simon Little to run out Chris Parry put the doubt in the batsmen's minds, but the key dismissal was of South African professional Pieter Strydom, who looked to have the powerful strokes in his armoury to reach the target with ease.

Kevin Howarth returned at the Castle End and sent him marching for 39 with a well-taken low caught-and-bowled chance to have Netherfield in a spot of trouble at 76-4.

Nobody could stick around afterwards and they were eventually all out for 99 with Howarth taking 4-11 and Pakistani professional 3-33.

Netherfield's home match against St Annes on Saturday was abandoned, prompting urgent work to add new drainage to the Castle End, while Fleetwood defeated Kendal.

May 27, 2003 14:30