CRAIG WALMSLEY wrote his name into the Surridge Northern League record-books when he made the top score by an amateur by hitting a magnificent 171 for Netherfield on Saturday.

Walmsley's thundering strokeplay came as the runs flowed against the Fleetwood bowlers on a dream of a batting track bathed in brilliant sunshine at Parkside Road.

Craig said: "I've not had the best of seasons but strangely enough I felt really good from the start of the day.

"When I was dropped on two, the umpire said to me it must be your day and everything just went right from there.

"The big sixes gave me pleasure, but I get stick for not be able to sweep yet I even managed to knock a four off the pro with that stroke!"

He and South African Pierre de Bruyn forged an opening partnership of 258, one short of the record set by West Indian Jimmy Adams and Danny Hagen, who made 259 for St Annes on this ground last year and then saw the runs knocked off.

Another record was set when Netherfield went on to reach a massive score of 319-2 declared in the 50th over, which is new league best.

Walmsley - or Worm' as he is known - had the visitors squirming after that missed catch at cover and meted out full punishment with a sparkling cascade of boundaries.

The 30-year-old left-hander, whose previous best was 129 in 2001, cracked seven sixes and 21 fours - that's 126 runs across the ropes.

It included a couple of memorable straight drives from the Castle End which cleared the road and threatened windows of the houses opposite.

He took 48 balls to reach his 50 and the 100 came up in 79 as it was clear he was seeing the ball as big as a football.

To put the stats in black and white Walmsley's 171 came off 123 balls in 154 minutes before he was finally caught at deep cover off Fleetwood professional Doug Watson.

Walmsley's knock bettered team-mate Graham Clarke's 168 of a few seasons ago, and was only 13 fewer than the professional-best of Bernard Reidy's 184 not out.

Playing second fiddle for once, De Bruyn still went on to make a century himself, his fifth in the league so far this season, and finished unbeaten on 112 with a six and 12 fours.

Netherfield, who had won the toss and elected to bat, carried on to post a total of 319-2 declared, better than Morecambe's 314 of two seasons ago.

It came as a surprise that Netherfield emerged with a winning draw in such ideal conditions, taking eight points to the four secured by Fleetwood, who reached 214-5 in reply, with John Wright top-scoring on 70 and Watson 49.

The first Fleetwood wicket did not fall until 120 was on the board when Watson's stringing low drive was held well by Nick White at cover off Hadwin.

Although Mark Clinning was run out and Wright was caught by de Bruyn at point off White, Fleetwood regained their composure to ensure the bonus points were achieved.