NETHERFIELD crashed to their third consecutive home defeat after losing by seven runs to Lancaster at Parkside Road last Saturday.

The Field who were initially set a chase of 176 following Atharva Taides knock of 51 off 55 balls, were given a bigger challenge midway through the second innings after the on field umpire awarded five penalty runs to the visitors after one of the Netherfield players contested a decision by the umpire.

Despite having to chase a bigger total of 181, Netherfield almost knocked the runs off, only to be denied by Damar Graham's 5-49 and 4-55 from Ben Simms as they were bowled out for 174 off 41.1 overs.

Buoyed by their derby day win over Kendal, Netherfield, were thwarted by the rain before the game finally got underway at 2pm with it reduced to 42 overs a side.

Netherfield, who won the toss and elected to field, made a great start when Shrikant Mundhe picked up the wicket of Jamie Heywood.

Eddie Steinson frustrated the hosts as his knock of 27 off 54 balls saw Lancaster onto 43.

However, Richie Forsyth was brought into the attack and he saw off Steinson who was caught behind by Finlay Richardson.

But Lancaster battled back as Atharva Taide led the charge to 98.

Steven Fisher who supported Taide with 15 off 45 balls was finally dismissed by Isaac Medhurst as he fell to a good catch by Mundhe.

Netherfield were given further optimism when Medhurst picked up the key wicket of Taide who departed with 51 after he was caught on the boundary by Lewis Richardson.

Laurie Atkinson, batting at number 5, scored important runs for the visitors before he departed for 33.

Forsyth closed with figures of 4-44 after taking the wickets of Irfan Qayyum and Ben Simms, the latter stumped by Finlay Richardson.

Richardson finished the innings off running out Lee Sparks for three with Lancaster all out for 176.

Brad Earl and Dan Gaunt made inroads into Lancaster’s total, after posting a first wicket stand of 44.

Earl posted a quick fire 25 off 25 balls before he was trapped LBW by Damar Graham.

Netherfield suffered further trouble after Mundhe picked out Atharva Taide off the bowling of Damar Graham before Ben Simms saw off Forsyth who was caught by Lee Sparks with Netherfield under pressure on 77-3.The Field continued to toil after Lee Sparks stumped Finlay Richardson off the bowling of Simms, before Dan Gaunt who top scored with 34 departed with Simms taking his third wicket of the afternoon. Josh Dixon and James Bowman battled back for the hosts as they guided Netherfield onto 132 before Bowman was caught by David Steinson off the bowling of Damar Graham.

And Graham claimed his fourth wicket after seeing off Lewis Richardson who was caught behind by Lee Sparks. Josh Dixon scored an important knock of 31 before he was bowled by Graham who finished with figures of 5-49.

Wileman attempted to get Netherfield back into the game before Simms saw him off with the Field now on 168-9.

Lancaster completed the victory in the 41st over after Medhurst's dismissal with Netherfield bowled out for 174.