NETHERFIELD had to settle for a winning draw against Fulwood and Broughton on an afternoon where Ritchie Forsyth starred with bat and ball after his first innings knock of 71 helped the field post a dominating total of 237-6.
And Forsyth who joined the club from Sefton Park was in equally good form with ball in hand after he returned figures of 6-45 before the visitors held out closing on 178-9.
PLAYER: Ben Barrow (Report and photographs by Richard Edmondson)
Fulwood won the toss and elected to field on a bowler friendly wicket following on from all the rain which had fallen during the past few days.
Netherfield made a slow start after Ben Barrow was caught and bowled by Fulwood & Broughton Professional Abhay Neghi before Shirkant Mundhe picked out Dominic Jackson off the bowling of Mark Smith with Netherfield under pressure on 69-2.
Ritchie Forsyth and Josh Dixon pulled the game away from the visitors after posting an impressive 3rd wicket partnership of 98.
Dixon who usually opens batted down at number 4 and played his way before unleashing some impressive shots as the visitors began to toil.
BOWL: Ritchie Forsyth bowling (Report and photographs by Richard Edmondson)
Fulwood & Broughton eventually broke the partnership after Dixon was run out for 48, however Brad Earl and Finlay Richardson posted a crucial partnership of 51 with Netherfield in full control.
Earl who posted 41 was in relentless form after scoring a quick fire 24 from just one over before he was eventually bowled by Abhay Negi.
Netherfield finished on 237-6 with James Bowman scoring 11 while Finlay Richardson was run out on the last ball of the over.
The visitors frustrated Netherfield during the second innings, with both Mark Smith and Matthew Rosbottom seeing out the opening overs.
However Ritchie Forsyth brought into the attack began to rip through the visitors after he dismissed Mark Smith, Ben Parkinson and Matthew Smith.
BOWLING: Ritchie Forsyth bowling (Report and photographs by Richard Edmondson)
Mark Smith the first to fall after being caught by Ben Barrow, while Parkinson saw his bails taken off by Finlay Richardson before Matthew Smith was caught by James Bowman.
Netherfield had further reasons to celebrate after Samuel Medhurst picked up the prize wicket of professional Abhay Negi who was caught behind by Finlay Richardson,with Matt Jackson seeing off Mike Sambell for 16.
Ritchie Forsyth finished with figures of 6-45 after he saw off Matthew Rosbottom who top scored with 71 before claiming the wickets of Sam Berry and Jon Fenton.
When Samuel Medhurst bowled Dominic Jackson for 12, Netherfield were closing in for victory, however Ewan Mansford and Chris Brookes frustrated seeing out the closing overs as the visitors closed on 178-9.
Netherfield picked up the most points as they currently sit in second place, as they travel to play Chorley on Saturday before travelling to Lancaster on Sunday in the Twenty-20.
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