On Sunday the Larne team, sponsored by the Curran Court Hotel, travelled to Ballyclare to take on Templepatrick IV’s.  Captain, John Hood, lost the toss and his opposite number elected to bat.  Larne opening bowlers Ryan Glenholmes and Andrew Wharry bowled well limiting the home team to just 26 runs off their first 10 overs.  Glenholmes got the vital breakthrough when he bowled Holmes for 15.  Richard Hood came on to replace Wharry and he was soon finding a very consistent line and length.  The batsmen were having difficulty in scoring against Hood and, after taking 2 wickets in 2 balls, he finished his 8 overs conceding just 17 runs and taking 3 wickets. 

Christopher Dempsey, David McVeigh and David Hayes all bowled well with Dempsey and McVeigh taking a wicket each.  Dempsey got rid of Templepatrick Captain and opener, Peter Sheppard, who, after being dropped while on 10, went on to top score with 82 before being caught by Glenholmes who took a fine catch at deep square leg.  Spinner Stuart Johnston was finding it difficult to get the right length and was replaced by Wharry who came back to finish his spell taking 2 quick wickets.  In the penultimate over some sharp fielding by Richard Hood, and good glove work by wicket-keeper Chris Taylor, secured the run-out of Carlisle.  This left the home team on 151 for 8 after their allotted 40 overs.

Larne openers Esler Burke and David McVeigh looked in great touch and were very self-assured as they set about chasing down the Templepatrick total.  They built a very solid base for the Larne innings taking the score to 48 before McVeigh was bowled for 17.  Ryan Glenholmes came in at number 3 and made a quick-fire 19 before being adjudged lbw. 

Christopher Dempsey then joined Burke, who had continued to make steady progress, and this pair took the total to 141 before Dempsey was out, caught, scoring a very impressive 43.  His innings contained some masterful stroke play, one shot in particular getting a maximum 6 when he chipped the ball from his feet right over the square-leg boundary. 

This meant that John Hood and Esler Burke were at the crease to see the Larne team home.  With only 2 runs needed off the last 3 overs it was left to Hood to strike the winning blow.  However all the plaudits must go to Esler Burke, who has once again found form scoring an unbeaten 50, carrying his bat through the Larne innings, and giving guidance to the younger players on how to chase down a total.

So Larne Fifths secured their first win of the season.  Hopefully this will give the young team even more confidence for the battles ahead.  Next week they travel to Lisburn to take on the local clubs 4th eleven.

RESULT – Larne V’s beat Templepatrick IV’s by 7 wickets.