Under 15’s return mixed results
Carrick’s Under 15’s enjoyed a super game of cricket against a previously unbeaten Instonians B side at Shaw’s Bridge, winning narrowly in a close and exciting finish. Carrick batted first, and Max Burton and Ben Buchanan-Rolleston got them off to a great start with an 86 run opening partnership in 13 overs before Burton had to retire, having completed an excellent fifty, which included nine boundaries. Buchanan-Rolleston, who went on to score a fine 41, adding a further 30 runs with Tom Stewart, which enabled Carrick to score a respectable 126 for 3 in their 20 overs. Instonians in reply scored steadily and managed to keep up with the required run rate for most of their innings. They still required 17 for victory off the 20th and final over, and in a tense and exciting finish, managed to score 14, to give Carrick victory by the narrow margin of 2 runs. Two Under 13’s, Ben Buchanan-Rolleston, and Scott Gardner were the pick of the Carrick bowlers, each taking 2 for 22 from their 4 overs.
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The Under 15’s were forced to field an understrength side against Lisburn at Middle Road, and lost by 6 wickets to dent their league title hopes. Thirteen year old Ben Buchanan- Rolleston, who is in a rich vein of form, held the innings together for Carrick, scoring an impressive 44 in a modest total of 91 for 7 in their 20 overs. Carrick’s bowlers did their best to defend this total , but the visitors got home in the 18th over with 4 wickets down.
Under 13’s narrowly beaten twice
Carrick’s Under 13’s put in two very respectable performances at Ballymena and Muckamore, and can consider themselves unfortunate not to come away with the points from either match. Ballymena batted first at Eaton Park, and scored a rather formidable 141 for 6 in their 20 overs, with the wickets shared amongst Carrick’s bowlers who all stuck to their task well. Carrick in reply struggled to 37 for 4 after 8 overs, but Ben Buchanan-Rolleston was still there, and he and Evan Robinson who scored 23 doubled the score during the course of the following six overs. Still needing 74 to win off the last 6 overs, Buchanan-Rolleston cut loose and he and Josh Boyd smashed 57 runs off the next 5 overs. However Ben reached his fifty and under the competition rules, was forced to retire in the 19th over with Carrick still needing 17 to win. The match then just fizzled out as the new batsman faced an impossible task, with Carrick finishing on 130 for 6 at the end of their 20 overs.
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The Under 13’s scored 96 in their 20 overs at Muckamore in a rather disappointing batting performance, with Josh Boyd top scoring with a well made 24. Carrick’s bowlers made it hard for the home side, who eventually got home in the 18th over with 6 wickets down. Scott Gardner again impressed with the ball, with 2 for 10 from his 4 accurate overs. It was later revealed that Muckamore had fielded an over-age player who had made a significant contribution to the game.
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Carrick’s Under 17’s progressed to the 2nd round of the Colts’ Cup without bowling a ball as their 1st Round opponents were unable to field a team.