Cloney take the initiative in promotion battle

Usually only annual bragging rights are up for grab in derby match but with both teams sitting at the top of the league with identical records there was much more to play for.

Donaghcloney won the toss and despite the wicket looking rather bowler friendly, decided to bat first. This decision looked as if it had back-fired with both Lyness Topping and Keith Martin dismissed by Leckey leaving Donaghcloney reeling at 16-2.

This brought Colin Martin and Neil Carson together at the crease and they set about rebuilding Donaghcloney’s innings.

With the bowlers dominating the bat, Carson and Martin batted cautiously seeing off the opening bowlers. Martin, in particular, started to get on top of the bowling managing successive boundaries off the bowling of Stuart Kidd.

With Carson accumulating at the other end, the pair passed the 50 partnership mark and seemed to be batting Donaghcloney into a strong position.

The introduction of Davy Glover’s medium pace brought immediate reward with Martin caught at point when trying to force the ball through the offside – his 30 runs proved to be a vital contribution. Davy Marshall fell quickly to Stuart Kidd leaving Donaghcloney at 80-4.

Stevie Hanna joined Carson in the middle and continued grinding out the runs, adding another 20 runs in 10 overs before Hanna was caught at the wicket.

Carson continued his mammoth stay at the middle with the lower order and was last man out for superb 45. Stevie McCart picked up the last three wickets with Donaghcloney ending their innings with 134.

Millpark’s reply started brightly with Stevie McCart taking the attack to Donaghcloney’s opening bowlers but he was spectacularly caught at mid-on by the diving Peter Moates off Marshall’s bowling.

Donaghcloney’s bowlers were soon on top and Millpark were finding runs hard to find. The pressure soon resulted in some suicidal running, Hanna’s brilliant return leaving Darryl Martin stranded and Topping’s direct hit from cover accounted for David Wilton.

Marshall’s fine bowling display continued with two further quick wickets leaving Millpark reeling at 28-5. Millpark’s hopes rested with Stuart Kidd and Stephen Leckey but Kidd was caught at the wicket for eight off the bowling of Stevenson and Leckey followed quickly – run out by Matthew Lyttle’s fine throw.

Stuart McCart proved some resistance but he was brilliantly caught Donaghcloney’s keeper and skipper Keith Martin off Tim McClure’s bowling. Marshall wrapped up Millpark’s innings with another two wickets, leaving him with figures of 5-28 and Millpark’s total a disappointing 51.

Donaghcloney's skipper was delighted with his team’s performance. “It was one of the best all round display of the season, everyone battled hard when batting and we managed a few important partnerships.

"The bowling, particularly Davy Marshall, was brilliant and the fielding and spirit was outstanding.”

With two teams promoted, it is likely that both Millpark and Donaghcloney will be promoted but it will be a race to finish to determine the league winners with both teams having four matches left.