There was disappointment for Chorley whose poor run of form continued against Cumbrian raiders Netherfield on Saturday.

Chorley’s South African pro JJ Smuts hit his second century in a fortnight but still finished on the losing side in a high-scoring game at Windsor Park.

Smuts hit 135 from just 127 balls with 16 fours and three sixes, sharing a second-wicket stand of 121 with James Reynard (52) as Chorley amassed 251-7 against the Kendal-based outfit.

The visitors were handicapped when opening bowler Ryan Wilson sustained a hamstring injury after bowling only eight balls but Nathan Chambers soldiered away to take 3-58 and Australian pro Nick Kruger took 4-75, and claimed the big wicket of Smuts.

Kruger was bowled by Kieran McCullagh for eight as Netherfield struggled to 84-4 in reply until Ben Haddrick and Oliver Hill combined in a crucial stand of 108.

Hill made 51 off 50 balls with 10 fours and one six while Haddrick went on to record a superb 119, including eight fours and 11 sixes.

Chris Parry, back from a broken finger, combined with skipper Marc Hadwin to see Netherfield to a welcome win with an undefeated eighth wicket stand of 30 as Billy Smith took three wickets for Chorley.

Chorley

Smuts b Kruger 135
J Bentham ct Hill b Chambers 6
J Reynard ct Haddrick b Kruger 52
W Moulton ct Hill b Kruger 8
J Catterall LBW Kruger 10
K McCullagh ct Parry b Chambers 5
M Critchley Not Out 8
A Holdsworth ct Atkinson b Chambers 10
A Weetman Not Out 5
Extras 12
Total (7 wickets, 50 overs) 251
R Wilson 1.2 0 7 0, N Chambers 14 1 58 3, T Barton 6.4 0 30 0, M Hadwin 14 1 70 0, Kruger 14 2 75 4.

Netherfield

Kruger b McCullagh 8
A Atkinson ct Weetman b McCullagh 10
B Haddrick ct Moulton b Smith 119
B Barrow st Weetman b Smuts 8
C Walmsley ct Lee b Smith 7
O Hill ct McCullagh b Smith 51
C Parry Not Out 28
N Chambers b Lee 0
M Hadwin Not Out 11
Extras 12
Total (7 wickets, 48.5 overs) 254
K McCullagh 8 0 45 2, J Lee 13 5 43 1, B Smith 13.5 2 78 3, Smuts 11 2 50 1, J Reynard 3 0 31 0.

Netherfield won by three wickets.