Posted: 5 months ago

Back to Winning Ways

Above: MOM Mo Aahil with his first century in Senior Cricket

We got a lucky break at Balbriggan in the Bob Kerr a couple of weeks ago when the rain saved us – but that’s only worth anything if you make the most of it – and the boys did so in style yesterday (Sunday) with a cracker 6-wicket win in the re-fixed fixture at The Green.

It actually could have been a short day when the visitors were reduced to 60 odd for 7, but some responsible batting from a quality lower order saw them set a below par, yet challenging, 208 total.

Kerwin was amongst the wickets early, skipper Davison chipped in with another then Ally Shields ripped out the middle order. We couldn’t quite get the job finished but would have settled for that run chase before a ball had been bowled.

In reply Mo Aahil anchored the innings with a beautifully made ‘ton’, his first in senior cricket, as we won with a bit left in the tank – there were contributions throughout with Ani Chore sharing in an opening stand worth 69, Liam Hayman giving us some impetus with a few quickfire boundary runs and then some majestic shots from James Shannon.

All in all very satisfying – really good crowd enjoying a really good win in really good weather – wouldn’t it be nice to report that every week!

There are three new photo galleries for the match HERE

Now, back to Saturday…

Important win for the M1s at home to CSNI – Ani (70no) and Stevie Saul (57no) after four wickets apiece for Kerwin and Daisy the big contributors. Scorecard HERE

The M2s didn’t put their best foot forward at Stormont where they were comprehensively beaten on the back pitch – Ryan Haire’s 66 and 2 for 13 the stand out performance, honorable mention to Jacob McClure-Dalzell who made a defiant 28 not out showing his potential with bat in hand. Scorecard HERE

M3s had a big win at Dundrum – highlights being a couple of wickets for Jonah Ditty, runs for Dudly, Dugie and Aaron Macrory, and of course the return to action of Moxy Moreland. Scorecard HERE

Unfortunately both the M4s and 5s failed to defend good scores on the top ground and exited the cup, but not before a whole host of young cricketers got more game time along the way. All details available via our NV Play link.

On Sunday the ladies had a ‘what if?’ moment against local rivals CSNI – having reduced the Stormont side to 19 for 6 they couldn’t get another breakthrough and ended up chasing 136 which proved exactly 36 too many. So near yet so far!

The Graham Cup Final was postponed last Friday due to an ongoing investigation into a registration issue – the club have submitted the information that was requested and await confirmation of a new date for the match.

Last week we hosted the Cricket Ireland Academy and their West Indies counterparts for two days practice and a 4-day First Class fixture. Praise all-round from our visitors for our hospitably and the playing surface so a big well done the the hard working band of volunteers that made it possible – good to keep the club at the forefront of the local game.