DEFEAT was not the talking-point but the startling manner of it for Netherfield on Saturday. They capitulated by 10 wickets to joint second-placed Fleetwood, underlining just how unpredictable cricket can be.

Netherfield's batting prowess deserted them on this occasion apart from Grahame Clarke, who made a top score of 55, and a gritty rearguard action from tail-enders Scott Clement and Marc Hadwin.

To make it an ignominious afternoon, the Fleetwood openers were unruffled as they stroked up the runs at 130-0 in a mere 21.4 overs.

Netherfield skipper Tommy Prime won the toss and faced with a flat, firm strip he could not envisage the carnage ahead as he opted to bat.

From the outset things went awry and Chris Parry went first ball as Steve Hill found the edge of the bat and Zimbabwean professional Doug Marillier took the slip catch.

Then Craig Walmsley departed next over as he tried to exert his authority and was bowled.

At 3-2, the Fleetwood bowlers were in no mood to let up and after the score moved to 19 they struck three times for a single run to leave the visitors at 19-5.

Professional Dale Blenkenstein fell to Blundell for six when Marillier again held a low slip catch and then Gareth White, who was on 12 played all round a delivery from Hill.

Skipper Tommy Prime did not face a ball when he was run out by a throw from gully after a communication breakdown with Clarke.

Ben Haddrick also failed to score but stayed long enough to help Clarke take the score to 32 when the former was caught behind by Sharrocks.

Clarke was joined by Graeme Dodds and they survived for almost an hour, the score rising to 74 when Dodds was held at mid-wicket off Fish for eight.

Clarke had survived spilled catches twice to reach 55 off 88 balls, including 10 fours, but went to a rising ball that he tried to cut, giving Marillier to his third slip catch of the afternoon.

It took the bowlers to show the virtue of application as Clement and Hadwin kept off Fleetwood's baying hounds for 50 minutes and added a little respectability to the score on 125.

Hadwin eventually went for 14 and Clement finished defiant on 19 after Stuart Nixon was run out without scoring.

Hill finished with 3-18, Blundell 2-15 and Fish 2-36, Although Marillier could not get among the wickets with the ball.

Any chinks in Fleetwood's armour when they batted were never evident and Whalley (76) hit three fours in Clement's opening over and Wright proved a perfect foil.

The ball was thrashed to all parts, Hadwin suffering as his first five overs went for 40.

He was not alone, however, as the breakthrough never came and the batsmen dominated completely to bring up victory at 130-0 in the 22nd over to end Netherfield's most uncomfortable experience of the season so far.

Ironcially for Fleetwood, they dropped a place down the table after Morecambe took 15 points to their 12 with a win over Leyland and Farington.

n WHO qualifies for the semi-finals from the group stage of the Thwaites Smooth Beer Trophy is still unclear after Netherfield's defeat at the seaside on Sunday, Blackpool winning a reduced-overs contest by eight wickets, albeit with only a ball to spare.

Because of the wild, wet weather, a start was not possible until 3.45pm by which time a 25-over thrash was the bottom line.

Netherfield began well enough this time with 44 coming off five overs before Walmsley was bowled for 19.

Chris Parry continued the good work and reached 51, including a six and five fours, out of 97 on the board when stumped in the 13th over.

Gareth White departed two runs later for 20 as a collapse set in and Netherfield lost nine wickets for just 27 runs, dismissed for another low score of 123 with sixth-choice bowler Steve Croft scooping 5-8, including three wickets in five balls.

Blackpool surrendered their first wicket in reply with 69 on the board when Mercer went for 33. They lost only one more batsmen, Croft going for 18 with the score on 117 but with just three balls left.

Fortunately Barry got them off the hook when he ran a two and then hit a six off the penultimate ball to bring up victory at 125-2.

COMING UP: Netherfield are at home to St Annes in the league on Saturday (1pm).