THE GREAT British Summer struck again with the rain marring Netherfield's home match with Lancaster but there was a silver lining from

the day's results in the Bay Northern Premier League.

Going into Saturday's programme, Netherfield held a SIX-POINT lead at the top of the first divison table.

And, despite having to settle for five points from a draw on Saturday, the club emerged with a NINE-POINT gap over their nearest challengers.

Second-placed Chorley missed an excellent chance to reel in their title rivals when Blackpool overhauled their low score with nine wickets down.

It was fortunate, too, that third-placed Morecambe and fourth-placed St Annes were rained off with each club taking only four points.

The weather forecast looked decidedly dodgy so it was a real surprise that Lancaster asked the home team to bat on winning the toss.

Fifteen overs had been bowled and Netherfield stood at 40-2 when the downpour started, prompting a retreat and an early tea with the innings reduced to 35 overs.

Starting again at 5.13pm, Netherfield,who had lost openers Craig Walmsley and Tommy before reaching 20, pushed the score along to top 150 and secured a bonus point.

Strydom's fine knock of 59 off 65 balls, which featured sharp running between the wickets, did the job as he added 62 with Jimmy Moyes and then 33 with Grahame Clarke.

There were two and a half overs left when the professional was fifth wicket down, caught at mid-off, and Netherfield closed on 153 for seven.

It was never feasible that Lancaster would chase that score with 24 overs to face in reply - four plus 20 after the 6-40pm cut-off.

They simply batted out the time and lost three wickets in the process - Jamaican Gareth Breese remained unbeaten on 34 out of a reply of 72-3 giving them two points to Netherfield's five.