A TOP-scoring 96 from Grahame Clarke could not prevent Netherfield from going out of the ECB National Knockout in a three-wicket defeat by Preston at South Meadow Lane on Sunday.

Netherfield set a target of 195-5 with Clarke featuring in two good stands with Gareth White, 44, and Chris Parry, 30, both newcomers to the club this season.

But Preston picked up runs from the start and survived a mid-order slump which saw them reduced to 113-6.

That left them requiring 83 off 11 overs, but they did not give up the chase and an eighth-wicket stand of 55 in seven overs from Peter Mann and Reece Williams saw them home with three balls to spare.

Netherfield picked up six league points in a rain-affected winning draw over Fleetwood on Saturday.

Professional Pieter Strydom led the run-scoring with 68 out of Netherfield's 115-6 after four stoppages for the weather.

Fleetwood fell 11 runs short in reply off 21 overs, the key dismissal coming when opener John Wright was run out for 45.

Pro Lloyd Ferreira was then one of three wickets for two runs after they moved on to 70 and Netherfield held the upper hand afterwards as the visitors closed on 105-6.

Kendal had a bye in the National Knockout and their league match at Blackpool on Saturday wash washed out.

April 28, 2003 12:01