Morecambe returned to winning ways on Saturday with a convincing win over Cumbrian rivals Netherfield.

A fine bowling display from professional Bruce Martin was equalled with a fine opening partnership of 132 from Goyal and Woodhead as the side eased to an eight wicket win.

Electing to field first, Morecambe gained an early breakthrough as Walmsley played on to the Kiwi professional Martin, whose slow left arm suited the damp track.

Parry, enjoying a fine season, and prolific professional Ferguson set about rebuilding their innings. Tight bowling from both ends, with a luckless Pedder supporting his professional well, meant that the scoring was kept in check.

After 25 overs the score had reached 74-1 but this was soon to change as Lee forced a false shot out of Ferguson and had him well caught, low down at mid-on by Martin.

He in turn gained the wicket of Parry soon after, trapped in front by a quicker ball, and Morecambe seized the initiative.

There then followed a procession of false starts as the middle and lower order tried in vain to take the attack to a Morecambe side who's bowlers were sticking to their task admirably.

Gudgeon claimed the first of three victims in succession behind the stumps as Lee and Martin toiled away.

It was only some clean hitting by Haddrick that took Netherfield to a competitive total on a pitch offering assistance throughout the innings.

Martin ended the innings with season best figures of 6-66 while Pedder and Lee played the supporting role well and both deserved more wickets.

Morecambe's ever-changing batting order saw Goyal and Woodhead at the top of the innings and the pair started in positive fashion not letting the Netherfield bowling attack settle.

Woodhead drove with the authority that he has recently been lacking and seemed to thrive on the opportunity to open again. Goyal too showed attacking instinct, unsettling the bowlers with some fine pulls and subtle cut shots.

The professional Ferguson was soon introduced into the attack and the pair treated him with equal distain as his two overs went for 19.

Netherfield turned to spin and Woodhead soon knocked Cumbrian starlet Miller off his length driving him straight for three boundaries in an over.

Goyal did the same to the leg spin of Hadwin as captain Parry soon ran out of options forcing himself into the attack.

Goyal was the first to 50, pulling Parry to the square leg boundary. Woodhead soon followed him, confirming a return to form with a superbly-timed drive to the cover boundary.

Just as a 10-wicket victory seemed on the cards, Wilson found the edge of Woodhead's bat and the partnership came to a close in the 28th over.

After Edge caused a few butterflies, clean bowled for nought, it was left to skipper Lomas to see the game to a conclusion.

It was fitting that Goyal should hit the winning runs, as his season seems to go from strength to strength with the bat, producing yet another fine innings and ending up 88 not out, with the game won with 16 overs to spare.

* MORECAMBE 2nd rued some dropped catches as they drew at home to Netherfield on Saturday.

Batting first, Andy Armstrong impressed with 44 while the experienced pair of Michael Fisher (32) and Nick Milner (44 not out) helped the home side to a competitive 194-8.

Netherfield started slowly due to Ryan Smith and Maartens' excellent bowling, the latter starting with eight maidens in his first nine over.

Only Hill (42) and Stafford (41) showed any real intent in chasing down Morecambe's total.

All the bowlers performed well and kept their tempers as they were consistently let down by the fielders, Milner took 3-40, Maartens 3-31 and Smith 2-35.

*New Brighton 190-5
Morecambe 154-6
Lancashire Cup third round

MORECAMBE bowed out of the Lancashire Cup losing to Liverpool Competition runner-up New Brighton in a match reduced to 35 overs.

Morecambe had the home side at 29-2 after seven overs but While (22) and Evans (44) steadied the ship. Home pro Fernando then turned the game with 60 in 37 balls to set a formidable target of 190. Bruce Martin (2-48), Graham Lee (1-13) Tommy Clough (1-36) and G Pedder (1-54) took the wicket.

Morecambe set off well with openers Phil Dennison (58) and Vishal Goyal (36) putting on 77.

But Morecambe struggled to keep up with the run rate with spinner Navah bowling particularly well towards the end.