CRICKET: Rainey and McFadden fire U15s into cup final

In their match-winning partnership against Lurgan in Ballyclare, young Rainey just shaded the batting honours with his magnificent 62 not out, during which he hit seven fours and two sixes, but skipper McFadden pushed him hard for the top spot with his brilliant 61 that included seven fours and three sixes.

Jay Hunter (13), Jordan Carlisle (13) and David Gibson (12) also contributed to Templepatrick's huge score of 173 in their allotted twenty overs.

In reply, Lurgan were up with the required almost nine runs an over scoring rate as long as James McCollum the NCU Under 15 skipper was at the crease. His 81 was the highest score of the evening, and he seemed to be racing towards a three figures tally until brilliantly run out by Carlisle's quick return from the covers to wicket-keeper Hunter that caught him a yard short.

His departure effectively saw off the Lurgan challenge, and they finally closed on 149 for 8 - twenty-four runs short.

McFadden returned the best bowling figures with two for 20 off four, closely followed by Grimason two for 29 off four, while Ross Bryans, Carlisle, and Gibson each took one wicket.

The final will be played at Middle Road, Carrickfergus against either Lisburn or North Down on a date to be confirmed.

Cricket fixtures

June 26

Ulster Bank Premier League

CIYMS v Instonians

Downpatrick v CSNI

North Down v Ballymena

Lisburn v Carrickfergus

Lurgan v Waringstown

Ulster Bank Section 2

Dungannon v Academy

Dunmurry v Drumaness

Cooke Collegians v Larne

Millpark v Templepatrick

More cricket coverage in this week's Newtownabbey Times