A case of mixed fortunes for Lurgan in cup competitions

A resounding 10 wicket win saw Lurgan defeat Section 1 side Woodvale at sundrenched Pollock Park on Saturday.
Batting first, the visitors started brightly and had 50 runs on the board by the ninth over for the loss of one wicket and with the Pollock Park outfield playing fast, a big total looked a distinct possibility.

However, following the dismissal of top scorer Bunting for 46, wickets tumbled at regular intervals as the Lurgan bowlers, in particular John Guy and Niranjan Godbole, pegged the run rate back. Godbole was in miserly form with the ball, conceding only 11 runs while claiming 2 in 7.5 overs, five of which were maidens. Woodvale were eventually bowled out for 159 in the 40th over with John Guy taking 3 of the visitor’s wickets for 24 runs in his 9 overs.

In reply, Lurgan openers Stephen Johnston and Niranjan Godbole were in no mood to hang around. While Godbole had proved miserly conceding runs with the ball, he was the opposite when it came to scoring them with the bat. Lurgan’s openers cruised past the Woodvale target in just 19.4 overs with Godbole displaying his full range of shots to all parts of the ground in a splendid 87 not out, an innings that included 13 boundaries. His partner Stephen Johnston included four big sixes as he finished on 67 not out to see the Town side through to a place in the second round on the 15th June away to either Instonians or CIYMS.