A BEAMER that Netherfield professional Pieter Strydom ducked under as he stroked down the wicket to hit out ended up dismissing him when it dropped on his wicket.

It was a controversial dismissal for the South African, who had made just five, as anything over head height can be called a no-ball.

It was very much a story about damage limitation for the Parkside Road side as they had to settle for four points from a losing draw away to away to third-placed Blackpool.

Fortunately, Kendal did their neighbours a good turn by defeating second-placed Chorley, which meant that Netherfield emerged with an enhanced 14-point lead at the end of the weekend.

Opting to bat after the delayed start, Blackpool were restricted to 133 all out of rain-reduced 39 overs.

One wicket had fallen with 49 on the board when the teams came off for more than an hour and a half as the weather broke.

Strydom did the damage with his off-spinners on the resumption as three wickets fell for seven runs and he went on to record 5-32, his best league bowling figures so far, and also took a stunning catch.

Netherfield were still in with a live chance of winning when the rain came again.

They stood at 97-4, needing 37 off the last five overs with Graham Clarke (28) and Jimmy Moyes (21) looking in control at the crease.

Netherfield made a great start in the Thwaite Lsancashire Cup semi-fina lagainst Ormskirk on Sunday.

Craig Walmsley had hit a six and four fours to reach 30 and Tommy Prime was still there on 17 as they posted 50 off 11 overs when heavy rain moved in and prevented further play.

The teams will try again this Sunday and if the match is not completed the issue with be decided by a bowl-out.