A MATCH-winning knock of 67 from Chris Parry carried Netherfield through the second round of the Cockspur Cup ECB National Knockout after a six-wicket win over Egerton of the Bolton League.

Parry also took three catches behind, having taken over wicket-keeping duties from Gareth White, who was pressed into service as a bowler for the cup match.

Under the rules, Netherfield could not field their overseas professional Dale Benkenstein, but Egerton would have been able to play their English professional if injury had not kept him out.

On winning the toss, Egerton batted and made a slow start, putting on 40 in 14 of the allotted 45 overs when a run-out gave Netherfield the breakthrough.

Netherfield maintained a tight grip on the run-scoring to restrict the visitors to 169 all out, White taking 3-37 and Ryan Wilson (2-24) and Stuart Nixon (2-45) faring best of the rest.

Arguably, Craig Walmsley claimed the vital wicket when he bowled Nigel Hallows, the most feared of the Egerton batsman.

In reply, Netherfield lost two quick wickets to stand at 19-2 as Walmsley and then Grahame Clarke went cheaply. Parry took up the gauntlet, forging a third-wicket partnership of 80 with Rishi Girdhari (32) and adding 59 with White for the fourth wicket. When White was run out for 23, Netherfield were just 12 runs short of victory and Parry saw them safely home for an unbeaten 67 out of a closing score of 171 for 4, with nine overs still to spare.

Netherfield have a home draw in the third round, when they play the winner of Blackpool v Lancaster on a date to be arranged.

Netherfield are at home to Lancaster in the next round on Sunday, May 23 (1pm).