1st XI beaten by North Down
Carrickfergus Cricket Club 1st XI travelled to The Green on Saturday to take on league contenders North Down, knowing that a win would go a long way in avoiding relegation. It was not to be as a poor batting display handed North Down the upper hand, in the end winning by 6 wickets.
Skipper Iain Parkhill won the toss and batted first, on what looked an excellent batting wicket, as he and fellow opener Michael Gilmour, set about the task of facing the North Down attack of Peter Davison and spinner Marty Moreland. Davison was the first to strike, removing Gilmour cheaply, whilst at the other end Parkhill dug in and feasted on any short pitched bowling, before he was adjudged LBW for 25. In no time Carrick found themselves at 49-4 from 21 overs and shortly after drinks were in greater trouble at 75-8. For a second game running, a late burst from Ashwin Shetty helped Carrick pass the hundred mark before he was bowled in the 45th over, for 29, Carrick 118 all out.
Carrick knew some excellent bowling was required to defend a well under-par total, Anthony Martin took the new ball, and found a probing line, whilst the off-spin of Ryan Eagleson ensured North Down didn’t race out of the blocks. Eagleson struck twice in his 10 overs, having Graham caught at deep mid-wicket, and soon after trapping Sutherland plumb in front. North Down were 60-2 at drinks, but with their professional Pieter Malan the most recent man to the crease, Carrick knew they’d have to remove him to stand any chance of winning. Shetty and Indrajeet Kamtekar claimed a wicket apiece at the other end, but Malan remained not out as North Down reached the 119 target, in the 34th over.
Results elsewhere did not favour Carrick, they now face a major task to avoid relegation, with a must-win game, at home to Lisburn, next Saturday @ 11am.
3rd XI deliver double success
Carrickfergus Cricket Club 3rd XI took on Ards II on Saturday, in a 30 over game. Carrick’s bowlers took control from ball one and never let Ards get away, bowling them out for 88, with Lee Murdock and Rod Harrington taking two wickets apiece.
In reply Robert Peszel played his natural aggressive game, finishing on 44 not out, as Carrick chased the target with ease, Tommie Humphries the only victim.
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On Sunday CCC 3rd XI welcomed CSNI 4th XI to Beltoy, hoping to make it 2 wins in 2 days, and they did just that. Sam Osborne top scored with 49, and was well assisted by skipper Tommie Humphries (39), as Carrick set a healthy 154ao. In reply, CSNI never got close, mainly as a result of an impressive display of swing bowling by Under 15 Jack Buchanan-Rolleston, he finished with 5 wickets, conceding only 13 runs. CSNI were all out for 58, meaning Carrick won by 96 runs.