LANCASTER failed to hold their catches and produced a moderate batting performance to help second-placed Netherfield inflict a comfortable nine-wicket Surridge Northern Cricket League defeat upon them at Parkside Road on Saturday (writes Richard Daniels).

Lancaster won the toss and elected to bat, but had made only 17 off 10 overs when pace bowler Ryan Wilson forced an edge from Jamie Heywood which keeper Chris Parry took.

Professional Yasim Bari joined David Heywood and they brought the 50 up in 21 overs as they worked the field for singles and found the gaps.

Bari was put down by Scott Clement off Pierre de Bruyn's bowling at gully, but perished for 22 after drinks in the next over when he danced down to thrash spinner Nick White over his head and missed.

Heywood seemed to be settling well to his task and hit three fours off one over from de Bruyn, including a cracking pull through mid-wicket, but the professional removed Steve Jones to an easy catch at third slip to leave Lancaster at 88-3 in the 32nd over.

Even so, Lancaster still looked poised to up the tempo with seven wickets in hand, but Netherfield's spinners took a grip after Ben Simm was left stranded attempting a second run on a misfield.

Heywood went for a top-scoring 66 with the score on 140 when he hit a lazy drive off Ryan Wilson's pace bowling straight to de Bruyn at mid-off, and Lee Sparks followed four runs later, deceived as he advanced with a wild swing at White.

Glover's retirement with a hamstring problem hurried along Lancaster's demise and the last three wickets were traded for just 11 runs as White finished with 3-47 and Hadwin 2-29.

Lancaster were glad to see the early departure of Craig Walmsley, who made 171 last week, when adjudged leg before off the fifth ball of the Netherfield innings.

However, Netherfield's Graham Clarke, celebrating his 40th birthday this coming week, was the mainstay of their race to victory with an unbeaten century - his first in seven seasons - as he and professional De Bruyn put on an unbeaten second-wicket partnership of 178.

Lancaster missed two or three catches early on that might have allowed them to get into the game.

Instead Clarke made them pay, his 101 coming with 21 fours off 83 balls, while the consistent De Bruyn carried his bat for 58, the 15-point win achieved in just 29 overs.