BARROW proved to be no match for a Netherfield team hitting full stride in the Northern Premier League and went down to a seven-wicket defeat on their own Ernest Pass ground on Saturday.

After plenty of rain over the preceding 24 hours, the start of play was delayed to allow a wet outfield to improve.

Ten overs were lost but Barrow, who are still seeking their first victory on their debut season in the league, were dismissed for 86 in the 34th of a possible 47 overs.

Professional Dale Benkenstein made the breakthrough for the visitors with the second ball of the day and Barrow slumped to 18 for 4.

The introduction of pace bowler Stuart Nixon dashed Barrow's hopes further when he accounted for Barrow's West Indian professional Rawl Lewis, caught behind for 19.

It was left to Paul Wilcock, batting at No. 7, to hold off the inevitable for a while for a top-scoring 21, but Benkenstein got rid of him in a double-wicket maiden when he returned for a second spell.

The remaining four Barrow wickets fell for a mere 14 runs with Benkenstein finishing with 4-18 off 15 overs, while Scott Clement took 2-15 and Stuart Nixon 2-23.

A first-ball dismissal featured in Netherfield's innings as skipper Tommy Prime was adjudged leg before.

Two more wickets fell as Netherfield went about their work briskly with runs from Benkenstein (29), Gareth White (25) and Chris Parry (23) smoothing the way and Grahame Clarke clubbing two fours to bring up victory at 89-3 in 18.1 overs.

COMING UP: Netherfield have three away trips in three days at the weekend, starting at Lancaster on Friday in the NPL Twenty/20 Competition. The league programme takes them to Blackpool on Saturday and they return to the coast for a visit to Lytham in the group semi-final of the Cockspur Cup (ECB National Knockout) on Sunday.