NETHERFIELD agonisingly missed out on a place in the Lancashire Cup Final after losing by 17 runs to Lancashire League side Norden in a dramatic semi final at Parkside Road.

The Field were on course for victory after they bowled Norden out for 116, with both Bevan Small and Isaac Medhurst claiming three wickets apiece.

However, Netherfield’s hopes of clinching their place in the final were thwarted by Jake Sandham's second innings return of 4-30, which saw the Field bowled out for 99 off 28.5 overs.

Netherfield, who fielded first, made a stunning start after Norden were reduced to 3-3.

New Zealand professional Bevan Small made inroads into the visiting attack when he picked up the wicket of Josh Tolley, who was caught by Josh Dixon, before he saw off Jake Humphreys and Harvey Fitton.

Small clean bowled Humphreys before the opening bowler saw Fitton caught behind by Lewis Edge.

Netherfield continued to crank up the pressure on the Lancashire League side and it was Matt Jackson who claimed the next wicket when the former Torrisholme player bowled Dominic Humphreys.

Isaac Medhurst, who was brought into the team to replace his brother Samuel who got injured the previous day, trapped Lee Crabtree LBW while Norden toiled on 28-5.

Professional Jake Sandham and Greg Butterworth mounted a hard-fought recovery, edging their score on to 92, which gave the visitors some optimism.

Lewis Richardson, though, trapped Butterworth LBW, which saw the crucial partnership finally come to an end, before Marc Hadwin trapped Sandham LBW for 39 with Norden now under increasing pressure on 94-7.

Ben Barrow ran out visiting Captain Hashum Malik, who scored a quick fire knock of 11 which caused the hosts some frustration. Then Isaac Medhurst finished the innings off when he saw off both Sami Waheed and Chris Humphreys, with Norden all out for 116 off 36.2 overs.

Netherfield made the worst possible start in their reply following the dismissal of Ben Barrow, who picked out Dominic Humphreys off the bowling of Jake Sandham.

Finlay Richardson, who opened at number 2, scored just 4 off 11 before he was trapped LBW by Chris Humphreys.

Brad Earl and Bevan Small attempted to rebuild the innings and were initially on course before Hashum Malik bowled Earl for 5 off 15 balls.

And once Earl departed Norden had further reason to celebrate after Chris Humphreys bowled Bevan Small for 22 off 36 with Netherfield reeling on 35-4.

All hopes rested with the former Morecambe duo of Josh Dixon and Lewis Edge who fended off an imposing bowling attack and they were able to push the score nervously on to 45. Norden broke the stubborn partnership following the departure of Dixon, who fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Chris Humphreys off the delivery of Hashum Malik.

Lewis Edge and Lewis Richardson dug in bravely with a resistant stand which saw Netherfield move ahead on to 75.

But Sandham, who was brought into the attack, bowled both Lewis Richardson and Lewis Edge.

Netherfield continued to lose wickets after Joel Derham was run out before Sandham bowled Isaac Medhurst, and with the hosts on the brink Malik trapped Marc Hadwin LBW with Netherfield all out for 99 off 28.5 overs.