NETHERFIELD deservedly clinched the Bay 96.9 Northern Premier League title with this emphatic victory at Windsor Park on Saturday.

The Cumbrians are, without doubt,worthy champions as they are an outstanding side and, in Pieter Strydom, have a top quality professional.

Chorley won the toss and elected to bat.

But fine bowling meant the innings got off to a slow start with the first 20 overs yielding a miserly 18 runs for the loss of Michael Critchley and skipper Roland Horridge.

Tommy Smith, again showing maturity beyond his 15 years, batted with great skill against the visitor's quality attack to top score with 47 from a two and a half hour vigil.

His future is assured and he will have learnt a lot from this knock.

Chorley were eventually dismissed for 123 in the final over.

Chasing such a small target, Netherfield were given a solid start by Walmsley and Prime who put on 49 for the first wicket despite a brief interruption for rain. Professional Strydom batted superbly to pass 1000 league runs for the season, a wonderful effort, before being bowled for 45 with the winning post in sight.

However, Dutton soon smacked the winning boundary to spark the Netherfield celebrations and leave Chorley with no points from their endeavours.

The defeat leaves the Windsor Park side without a trophy this season after early defeats in the league cups and the regional stage of the National Knockout.

On Saturday Chorley complete their league programme with a home fixture against struggling Leyland Motors and will aiming for maximum points to ensure qualification for next season's Lancashire Knockout competition.

RESULT: Chorley 123

Netherfield 125/3

There was more disappointment for Chorley's second XI whose match at Netherfield was brought to an early close due to heavy rain after they scored 186 for the loss of five wickets.