THE dress rehearsal for this Sunday's 40 Over Cup Final went the way of St Annes as Netherfield suffered a second Northern League defeat of the weekend.

Ben Barrow's side will be hoping for much better fortunes in that final showdown than they had at Vernon Road on Bank Holiday Monday as the in form home side inflicted a six wicket defeat on the visitors.

Home professional Amar Ullah had put his side on top as he claimed the wickets of Brad Earl, Barrow and professional Bevan Small, but solid knocks from Josh Dixon and Lewis Edge helped the visitors to a respectable 160/5.

Tim Smithies and Tom Higson's imposing first wicket stand of 87 put St Annes on course for victory, and though Joel Blain and Sam Medhurst picked up two wickets each to check their progress, the home side eased home with something to spare.

That reverse completed a weekend to forget for Netherfield as they had succumbed to a 27 run defeat by Fulwood & Broughton at Parkside Road on Saturday.

The undoubted highlight was Australian overseas amateur Joel Blain's hat trick, which helped his side dismiss the visitors for just 105.

But the home side's reply never got off the ground as despite battling it out for 47.1 overs, they eventually crumbled to 78 all out.

Netherfield's second team fared better as they registered a 113 run win at Morecambe on Saturday in their only outing of the weekend.

James Bowman's top score of 52 and knocks of 45 by Dan Gaunt and Lewis Richardson saw Netherfield close on 194-7 off 45 overs, and in reply 3 wickets apiece from Joel Bibby and Bertie Medhurst helped them bowl Morecambe out for just 81.