FIFTHS NARROWLY LOSE AT LISBURN

Larne Cricket Club, sponsored by the Curran Court Hotel, travelled to Lisburn last Sunday to take on the local club’s Fourth eleven in an NCU Division 3 Section 5 league match. 

In very hot conditions Larne captain, John Hood, was relieved to win the toss and had no hesitation in batting.  Openers, Esler Burke and Ryan Glenholmes, made an excellent start and looked very self-assured against the Lisburn attack.  It was the 21st over before the first wicket fell when Glenholmes was bowled for 30, the opening pair having put on a stand of 67 for the first wicket. 

Phil Mawhinney came in at 3 and continued where Glenholmes left off however, Burke was the next to fall when, on 34, he was out caught.  This was the start of a spectacular batting collapse from the Larne side.  They went from 87 for 2 to 107 for 6 with Mawhinney, John Hood, Jonathan Irwin and Kristian Humphrys all losing their wickets cheaply.  Richard Hood, David Hayes and Sam McIlwaine made up the Larne batting order and, with the score on 113, just managed to bat through their allotted 40 overs.

After a very welcome tea interval, Larne set about defending their total.  Jonathan Irwin agreed to keep wicket for the first time and acquitted himself very well.  Opening bowlers, Phil Mawhinney and Ryan Glenholmes were in excellent form with the former making early breakthroughs.  At one stage the LIsburn side were on 14 for 4 but captain, Andrew Brown, stood firm scoring his half century in double quick time. 

Richard Hood and David Hayes were the first change bowlers with Hood finally bowling Brown for 58.  As the game edged towards a finish, Larne were regularly picking up valuable wickets and, with just 20 runs required, 3 wickets were needed for victory.  Though they tried hard they just couldn’t get the vital breakthrough. 

Although they did get a wicket in the 27th over, just 5 runs were needed and so, in the 28th over, the winning runs were struck leaving the Larne team on the losing end of a 2 wicket margin.  All those who played enjoyed a great game of cricket that was much closer than most had anticipated. 

Next Saturday the Fifths entertain Cregagh III’s in the Minor Qualifying Cup.

RESULT – Larne V’s lost to Lisburn IV’s by 2 wickets.