Burke's Thirds suffer defeat to CIYMS

Captain Esler Burke won the toss and chose to bat first, with Jonathan Hodge and Zach Weatherhead opening for Larne.

Hodge looked in good form and he knew his innings was going to be vital if Larne were to post a competitive score.

Weatherhead was first to go when he was bowled by Brittain for two and this brought Timmy Evans to the wicket.

Having added 53 to the score, the partnership was broken when Evans was out for 30, caught by Matchett off the bowling of Jenkinson.

Phil Mawhinney came in at four, but he did not last long and was bowled by Matchett.

He was replaced by Richard Hood, who tried to establish a partnership with Hodge, who was still going strong. It was not to be as Hood was caught off McMillan for seven.

With the score on just 83, Larne knew they had to try and push on, but unfortunately this led to them taking chances and losing wickets. Luke Brownlee and Esler Burke went cheaply before John Hood was run out.

Neill Campbell tried to hit a full toss for six and was unlucky to be caught on the boundary.

In an attempt to get runs on the board the Larne running became risky and they paid the price when Aaron McKinley and Jithin Kuiriakose were both run out.

This left Jonathan Hodge as the last man standing, having carried his bat through the entire Larne innings, scoring an excellent 57 not out.

CIYMS chased the 108 runs they needed to secure victory. Larne’s Evans struck in the first over when he clean bowled Beattie, but this brought Charles McCombe to the crease and he went on to be the top scorer in the match with an excellent 59 not out.

Richard Hood took over from Evans and he dispatched Jenkinson for 36 in his fourth over. Spreading the bowling duties, the young Larne side could do to stop the visitors winning by eight wickets with 20 overs to spare.

The Thirds’ captain and club president, Esler Burke, would like to extend his thanks to all who have helped the club in any way throughout the season and said he looks forward to resuming club cricket in 2011.

The match ball was very kindly sponsored by Owen Donnelly Butchers.