Above: Ladies 1stXI off and running!
Our cricket’s like the weather at the minute: unpredictable. But let’s talk about the sunshine before we get to the storm clouds…
Let’s be honest — it was another bruising stretch for the senior team, and we’ll come to that. But across the club, the story was very different. A dominant ladies win, composed performance from the 3s, and a magic moment for a rising 5thXI star. Plenty to cheer.
Strength in Numbers as Muckamore Beaten
The L1s were dominant on Sunday morning, easing past Muckamore at The Green.
Gracie Keenan returned from uni and made an immediate impact — 3 wickets and 26 not out. Sister Evey stole the show with an outstanding 5 for 8, and Kiara Fisher finished unbeaten on 31 to complete the chase after the visitors were bowled out for 60.
With availability improving and leadership in place, this squad now looks ready to grow week by week.
3rds – Job Done Against Lisburn
The 3s kept their J4 campaign ticking over with a composed win at home.
Tim Carson took 2 wickets to help restrict Lisburn to 98, and the chase was finished off efficiently by Zac Parker (33*) and Josh Gilmore (35*). A quietly effective performance that keeps the season moving in the right direction.
Youth & Schools – Corbett & Shields Earn Ulster Schools Honours
Big congrats to Grosvenor Grammar pupils Josh Corbett and James Shields on their selection for Ulster Schools v MCC — a brilliant achievement, and hopefully the first of several rep call-ups for our young players this summer.
Elsewhere, a North Down-heavy Regent House side cruised past BRA to reach the Schools Cup semi-finals before falling to Sullivan. A young, exciting squad that’ll be back stronger.
5ths – Jackson’s 5 for 11 in Narrow Loss
The M5s were pipped by Holywood in a thriller — but not before Lleyton Jackson lit it up with an incredible 5 for 11. Yes, really.
Steven “Public” Barr continued his excellent form with 34, but Holywood’s number 11 got them over the line with 13 not out. Tough to take — but a magic day for Lleyton, and the kind of moment this club celebrates.
1stXI – Two More Defeats as Pressure Builds
A tough week for the men with two Premier League defeats.
Thursday night at The Green saw fellow strugglers Muckamore’s overseas man come out swinging, getting them off to a flying start. Despite an excellent spell from Ally Shields (4 for 17) and a decent recovery in the middle overs, they managed to add 37 unbroken runs for the 8th wicket to reach 151 — a total that felt just a touch above par.
Our reply had promise, with all of the top seven reaching double figures, but no one went on. Ryan Haire’s late 31 gave us a glimmer, but we fell 16 runs short.
Saturday at Lisburn was tougher. A collapse to 64 for 7 had us in serious trouble, but a determined partnership between Peter “Daisy” Davison (52) and teenager Jaxon Dines (17*) showed real grit, lifting us to 146. It was a battling effort, but not quite enough against a strong Lisburn side.
There’s still plenty of cricket to come — time to regroup, dig in, and go again.
Mens 2s and 4s games called off due to the weather.
All scores on NV Play
Check out Photo Galleries
