DELIGHTED Netherfield CC skipper Ben Barrow has paid tribute to his side after they secured a home Lancashire KO Cup semi-final thanks to Sunday's comprehensive win over St Annes.

The emphatic seven wicket win has booked a last four showdown against Lancashire League high flyers Norden, and Barrow said he was pleased with the professional manner in which his side performed.

"We bowled and fielded very well and we thought their score was never really going to be enough on a good wicket," he said.

Barrow said the dismissal of St Annes danger man Tim Smithies by home professional Bevan Small in the first over was a telling blow, and once the Australian had departed, his side never relinquished control and the visitors were eventually dismissed for 126.

In reply, there was a minor alarm when Lewis Edge and Barrow himself both fell cheaply, but the Netherfield captain said the partnership of Small and Brad Earl put them back in command and they eased home with more than 20 overs to spare.

And the victory was completed in time for the players and supporters to gather round the TV screen at Parkside Road and watch the closing overs of that breathtaking England World Cup Final victory.

New Zealander Small of course was the one person who wasn't celebrating as the Kiwis suffered heartbreaking defeat.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere in the club though I think Bevan would have rather have been watching the game with a few more New Zealanders," he said.

"Obviously he wasn't happy about the result but he took it in the right spirit."

But for the rest of the squad, England's triumph was the perfect end to a great weekend for Netherfield who got their title challenge back on track with a home win over struggling Barrow on Saturday then booked that semi-final tie against Norden.

"We played Norden in a cup game around three years ago," said Barrow.

"We were a bit under-strength that day but I know they have some good players and it will be a tough challenge."

However, before that tie, which is scheduled for Sunday, August 4, Netherfield have league business to attend to, starting with Saturday's home clash with Chorley, who roared back to form with a convincing home win over Longridge last week.

There was however sad news off the field this week when former Netherfield professional Bob Entwistle passed away at the age of 77.

Mr Entwistle, who played first class cricket for Lancashire, was pro at Parkside Road from 1967 to 1972 and was fondly recalled as a classy batsman and a modest, personable man.

The Netherfield programme for Saturday's game included a tribute to Mr Entwistle, who was a regular in the Cumberland side from 1967 to 1984.