Larne Cricket Club Fifth Eleven, sponsored by the Curran Court Hotel, entertained Holywood Thirds last Saturday in the first round of the Minor Qualifying Cup. 

In very poor weather conditions, the Fifths won the toss and elected to bat.  Esler Burke and David McVeigh opened the batting with McVeigh unlucky to be bowled by a ball that found the perfect line and length.  Chris Dempsey looked very self-assured at number 3 and, together with Burke, added 29 runs for the second wicket before he was out, caught for 18, off the bowling of Hanif. 

Fifths Captain, John Hood, came in at number 4 and, together with Burke, added another 39 runs before the latter was run out for 20.  Hood soon followed being bowled by Dunwoody for 21, and this was the start of a major batting collapse from the home side with Chris Taylor, caught and bowled; Phil Mawhinney, bowled; Stuart Johnston, caught; debutant Jonathan Irwin, run out and Richard Hood, caught all losing their wickets for the addition of just 12 runs. 

This left Andrew Wharry not out when the Larne innings ended on 83 all out after just 29.2 overs.

Following a short tea interval, the home side took the field with opening bowlers, Andrew Wharry and Phil Mawhinney found an excellent line and length.  In an amazing first 10 overs the score was 14 for 5 with Wharry ripping through the Holywood opening batting line up and taking 4 wickets in his first spell. 

Indeed, Wharry was undoubtedly the bowler of the day finishing with excellent figures of 6-1-12-5, his first 5 wicket haul of the season.  Larne began to believe they could win the match however Holywood steadied their innings.  They moved the score on to 60 for the loss of just two further wickets with Chris Dempsey and Richard Hood bowling well to limit the flow of runs. 

Stuart Johnston also bowled well and was unlucky not to take a wicket but it was left to Wharry and David McVeigh to strike quickly and put the visitors on the back foot again.  With just one wicket left they needed 17 runs to win.  Despite the best efforts of the Larne bowlers they were unable to secure the final wicket and, in the 29th over, the winning runs were struck leaving the home side on the losing end of a thrilling 1 wicket defeat.

RESULT – Larne V’s lost to Holywood III’s by 1 wicket.

Follow up: Holywood fielded an ineligible player and therefore the match was awarded to Larne - they will be at home to Cregagh 3rds in the 3rd round on June 16th