On Saturday 2 June, Larne Second XI, sponsored by The Curran Court, defeated Dunmurry by 7 wickets, in the last 16 of the Intermediate Cup.

On an overcast and miserable day for cricket, Dunmurry won the toss and elected to bat first. Cameron Rhuys and Paul Ramsay shared the new ball for Larne and it was Rhuys who struck first, with Rab McClean holding onto a catch at extra cover. Rhuys had a strong wind at his back and generated some decent pace before being replaced by McClean.

Ramsay had no luck in his first spell but also bowled well in the conditions. Ken McKinley replaced Ramsay at the Tower Road end and was bowling accurately when he pulled a muscle and had to be replaced by Dean Hodge. McClean took the next wicket to fall when he had the dangerous Dunmurry skipper caught behind by John Higginson. Hodge also struck in his first over and when McClean caught and bowled Cairnduff, Larne looked to be well in control.

However, veteran Davy Irvine batted sensibly for Dunmurry and although Hodge and McClean took a further wicket a-piece, with Hodge in particular bowling beautifully, Irvine continued to hold the innings together. After drinks Darren Stanton replaced McClean but had no luck in his 8 over spell and it was only the re-introduction of Ramsay that brought the innings to a close as he claimed 3 wickets in successive overs to leave Larne a target of 145 for victory.

Rab McClean and John Higginson again opened the batting for Larne, and continued to develop their partnership with an opening stand of 31, before Higginson was bowled for 16. The in-form Alan McKee joined McClean and was quickly into his stride punishing anything loose and looking to attack at every opportunity. The score had advanced to 52 when McClean lost concentration and was bowled by McCurly, bringing Chris Keenan to the crease.

Keenan also looked in excellent form from the start of his innings and the game was rapidly taken away from Dunmurry as boundaries flowed to all parts of the ground. When McKee was caught on the boundary for an excellent 44, Larne were within 30 runs of victory and Keenan took the opportunity to be the aggressor as he hunted down his second 50 of the season. A four over square leg took Larne to victory and Keenan to 51 not out.

The quarter final will take place on the 16 June with an away tie looming against either Carrick or Muckamore. Next week Larne play Muckamore away in the League.