Carrickfergus Cricket Club are the 2014 Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy champions after winning a close fought final against Derriaghy at their own Middle Road ground last Thursday night by the narrow margin of 11 runs. After winning the toss Carrick batted first, and Michael Gilmour entertained the sizeable crowd with a series of boundaries that saw the fifty up for his side in just the 5th over. After smashing 45 runs off only 26 deliveries, with eight 4’s and a huge 6, he was caught behind, having given Carrick a flying start with 60 runs off the first 6 overs. With Gilmour’s departure and the introduction of Derriaghy’s spinners, Carrick batsmen Indrajeet Kamtekar and Ryan Eagleson were unable to keep up this momentum, but they kept the scoreboard ticking over, and saw the hundred up in the 15th over. Both batsmen eventually perished in a vain attempt to push the run rate along, Kamtekar for 33 and Eagleson for 26. Alex Haggan contributed as brisk 16 at the end, and end Carrick managed to reach 138 for 6 in their 20 overs, many fewer than had looked likely earlier in the evening. Derriaghy’s openers Lewis and Bailey batted steadily and took the score along to 60 off 10 overs before Carrick finally got their much needed breakthrough when Bailey was caught on the boundary off Eagleson for 19. The dangerous Lewis followed in the next over, caught at mid-wicket off a long hop for 33. Aphale and Kenny added a further 31 runs in 5 overs, before Kenny was stumped by Browne off Kamtekar, and the same bowler had Bell caught at long on to leave Derriaghy still needing 27 off 14 balls for victory. With the dangerous Aphale still there, this was still possible, but when he was run out attempting an impossible single, the game was as good as over, and at the end of their 20 overs, the visitors were still eleven runs short. Carrick’s spinners, Holmes, Eagleson, and Kamtekar conceded only 50 runs in their combined 12 overs, and played a huge role in restricting the visitors and securing a victory for their side. A delighted Carrick captain Iain Parkhill received the T20 Trophy from Northern Cricket Union President Billy Boyd, with Indrajeet Kamtekar selected as Man of the Match, and the Carrick team being presented with winners’ medals. The Carrick Club would like to thank all the volunteers who helped in the setting up of the ground for the game, and assisted in various roles on the night of the match. The club and players are also grateful for the excellent support they received from a sizeable crowd.
