Coleraine Thirds take well deserved victory

They faced Drummond in the Intermediate D Cup, once again on the road away from Sandel Lodge.

In damp conditions Drummond won the toss and elected to put Coleraine to the test by fielding first. A solid opening start from Andrew Douglas and Johnny Elder, in what could only be described as trying conditions gave them a good platform in which to post a defendable total.

The excellence of the opening pair can not be underestimated as the ball both swung and seamed. Making a start on this type of wicket is not easy and this proved to be the case when from a position of 59 for none Coleraine slumped to 89 for 4. When the fifth wicket fell just after the 100 total had been reached, the side were teetering a little.

An impressive innings from Michael Macraild, top scoring on 31, steadied the team. Another well constructed 27 from Gerry McEwan saw the side make 217 for 9 in their 40 overs. This was a well constructed team performance that showed application and thinking at crucial moments. Everyone contributed to a score that, if bowling matched batting, would see the thirds into the next round of the cup.

Drummond came out to their innings fighting and scored quick runs, putting pressure on the Coleraine field.With a pitch that assisted bowling, putting the ball in the right areas would inevitably yield results.

Andrew Douglas once again bowled magnificently without just reward. Gerry McEwan soon picked up two quick wickets, leaving the stage set for Michael Macraild and Rory Handforth, two young bowlers whose progress over the past season and now have been very important to the Thirds success.

Macraild bowls accurately on a consistent basis and manipulates his control over the ball well.

He has a temprament that is unfazed by big hitting batsmen and backs his own talent. He has developed variation to his bowling talent that has added to his game and together with his batting shows that he will be a good all-rounder. He was rewarded for this consistency and application by taking four wickets for 15 from five overs.

Coleraine also greatly benefitted from the return of Rory Handforth. The wily spinner proved to be among the best talent found for the threes last season and in his first game of the 2010 season he showed that he had lost none of his ability. In an impressive spell he returned figures of 4 for 7 in just 2.1 overs. Drummond were skittled out for 107.

This was a real team performance. Coleraine adapted to conditions, fought for their runs, showed maturity and were relentless in the field. Matthew Caufield made two catches in the deep look easy and should back his obvious natural cricketing ability. Matthew Douglas has become a real asset to this side with his wicket keeping and batting. Everyone was sharp in the field and looked hungry for a win.

The Thirds were also very grateful to the vocal and humourous support provided by the Seconds whose game was postponed. They would welcome this every week.

So if you are free, you can follow them at home and on the road. Their next game is away to Burndennet this Saturday, starting at 1pm.