NETHERFIELD host Lancaster in this Sunday's first-ever Northern League's Thwaites Smooth Cup final after a 72-run victory over St Annes put them in the showpiece.

Against Saints in last Sunday's semi-final, Nether-field rattled up 260-5 off 45 overs, their highest score of the season in any competition.

After a 61-run opening partnership set up a good platform, Pieter Strydom and Simon Dutton stepped up the scoring-rate by adding 107 in 23 overs.

While Dutton made a half-century on 51, Strydom's habit of missing out on centuries continued when out for a 91 containing two sixes and seven fours.

Skipper Grahame Clarke put the icing on the cake when he hammered five sixes in a quickfire 36 .

Faced with an asking-rate of almost six an over, Saints lost a quick wicket and it was a major blow when professional Geoff Love went for only eight with the score only on 21.

A sixth--wicket stand of 57 frustrated the home attack but they were fighting a lost cause.

It was only the efforts of Russ Bradley (37) and David Whalley (39) as Netherfield tried to buy a wicket that allowed them to go as close as they did on 198-9.

Strydom was the best of the bowlers with 3-36.

n Netherfield's four-wicket win over Leyland Motors in the league on Saturday kept them in third place as the top three all won.

Fast bowler Stuart Nixon was plundered five wickets for only six runs at one stage before finishing with 6-59.

Veteran David Makinson was Motors' mainstay with an unbeaten 71.

but Netherfield's batting proved equal to the task with Craig Walmsley leading the way with 65 and John Eccles on 34 not out as they sealed the 12 points on 185-6.