NETHERFIELD are through to the semi-finals of the Thwaites Smooth Beeer Trophy - although it needed a calculator to put them into the last four.

A 90-run victory over Morecambe in their last group match on Sunday left Netherfield waiting to see if they would go through as best runner-up.

It involved calculating the club's overall run-rate in the competition and comparing it with the other second-placed teams from the other three groups.

Netherfield got the nod and now go to Leyland and Farington in Sunday's postponed semi-finals.

Initally Leyland had a problem in hosting the tie at short notice, but have got the all-clear to stage it at Fox Lane with wickets pitched at 1.30pm.

Darwen are hosts to Morecambe in the other semi-final.

Netherfield set Morecambe at target of 194-4 off a reduced 35 overs after a delayed start due to trying to find umpires to officiate.

Professional Dale Benkenstein was in the runs again with a top-scoring 82 and put on 67 for the third wicket with Chris Parry, who finished unbeaten on 46.

Forty runs came off the last four overs to take the total to 194-4 and an asking- rate of 5.54 per over.

Morecambe, who were already out of the competition, were restricted to 104-6 in reply.