Larne start season with victory

Larne Cricket club's Third Eleven began the season with a comfortable 25 run victory over Civil Service North Thirds. The match was played at the Rugby club and the home side won the toss and elected to bat first on the perfect looking artificial wicket. The unusually warm April weather was perfect for cricket, with the dry outfield and short boundaries making conditions almost deal for batting.

Larne's opening batsmen soon took advantage and raced to 76-1 off just 11 overs. In particular Stuart McIlwaine, who had scored 66 during a school match in the morning, looked in excellent form during his fine innings of 41. He struck eight fours was eventually bowled off his inside edge in an unlucky fashion, but his dismissal triggered a batting collapse. The experienced middle order crumbled and only two other batsmen reached double figures. Lyle hit five fours in his 21 but the innings of the day was played by Darren King.

The young fast bowler took advantage of his chance to bat up the order and helped turn the match with his quickfire 37. King hit one blistering straight six off the returning opening bowler and ran superbly between the wickets during his crucial innings. In August the same teams had played out the last match of the season at the same ground, and curiously Larne's final total of 151 was exactly the same as CSNI's score on that day. Larne had eventually won that match by just one wicket, and this was always going to be a similarly close run chase.

Today though Civil Service soon fell behind the required run rate against some accurate seam bowling from all-rounders Michael Lyle (2-17) and Ken McKinley (2-24). They sank to 41-5 before a useful sixth wicket stand of 52 brought them back into contention. Mark Williamson though effectively finished off the match with a fantastic spell of bowling, taking 3-10 off five overs. Larne's ground fielding was superb throughout the day, with Robert McKinley and Tony Anderson both performing fantastically and saving many runs. Anderson, McIlwaine and Williamson all took difficult catches.

Star junior bowlers Chris Dempsey and Robert McKinley bowled superbly during their spells, and the pair were unlucky not to pick up a wicket. Both these Larne players earned junior representative honours last season, and it will surely only be a few more years before they are performing for the first eleven.

Eventually a run out separated the troublesome final wicket pairing giving Larne a 25 run victory. The match was kindly sponsored by the Curran Court.

Next week sees the first full Saturday of action for the club, with four teams taking the field on Saturday. Both the First and Seconds will be away, meaning the Thirds will be in action at Sandy Bay whilst the Fourth Eleven will start their season at the rugby club.

Club training continues, with Junior practice every Monday night and open club practise every Thursday night throughout the season. All new members will be warmly welcomed, whilst the club is also in need of experienced players who may wish to return to playing the game.

Anyone interested can contact Esler Burke on 28273555.