TWO DERBY matches in 48 hours and two victories for Netherfield made it a pivotal weekend for the Parkside Road club's trophy aspirations.

It left neighbours Kendal - who might have entertained thoughts of a cup-and-league double themselves - extremely frustrated after two close encounters.

Scott Clement hit a cover-drive to the boundary in the final over to win Monday's league match and the three-wicket victory makes Netherfield clear favourites to retain the championship.

Had victory gone to Kendal, who were lying in second place seven points adrift in the table, Netherfield would have been displaced from top spot and the title race been thrown wide open.

Instead, the Parkside Road club go into the last two weeks of the season holding a

17-point lead with Chorley (away) and Fleetwood (home) to play.

Twice in two days Kendal had to suffer exciting final-over defeats by the old enemy on their own Shap Road ground.

On Sunday, they fought back to put an appearance in the Slater Cup final within sight, only to have it snatched away.

But both sides wanted Monday's spoils most with the championship outcome so finely-balanced going into the weekend.