BATSMAN Dale Benkenstein and bowler Scott Clement saw Netherfield through to a victory, which retained their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League.

Batting first against Leyland Motors, Netherfield lost top order batsmen Craig Walmsley, Chris Parry and Gareth White with just 17 runs on the board and were then struggling at 27-4.

Benkenstein, at No 4, stood firm, however, and as the remainder of the wickets fell around him he slammed a fine 84 not out from 146 balls. Tommy Prime, with 19, was the only other batsman to make double figures as Nethefield were all out for 142 in the 53rd over.

Leyland's I. Lillee took 3-16 and A. Ashraf 3-21.

Netherfield struck back as Clement bowled opener Lilee for a duck then had Ashraf caught by Clarke for four with the score on 2-10.

Opener J. Rounding (34) and No 4 J, Aspinwall (21) staged a recovery until they both fell with the score on 60, Rounding caught by Clement off S Nixon and Aspinwall caught behind by Prime off Marc Hadwin.

Clement, who finished with a magnificent 6-23 and Benkenstein (2-29) then saw off the tail as Leyland collapsed to 112 all out to earn Netherfield a valuable 15-point victory.