A double disappointment for Lisburn in painful weekend

The game against North Down at Waringstown on Friday was frustrating as Lisburn twice were in a position to win the trophy. Invited to bat first they reached the very good position of 95 for 1 after 11 overs but when they lost the vital wicket of Craig Ervine the innings completely lost its momentum and their final total of 141 was always going to be short of a taxing target for the long North Down batting order.

Lisburn did respond with some spirited bowling, reducing their opponents to 15 for 3 in the 5th over but the class of Ryan Haire and the superb striking of Peter Eakin pulled them back into the game and when Eakin was caught by Stephen Allen in the 14th over he had scored a match winning 59 in just 35 balls including four boundaries and three sixes.

His wicket fell with the score at 97 for 4 leaving North Down to make 44 from the last 6 overs which they achieved with eight balls to spare. Nathan Waller was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 20 while Darryl Brown took two 2 wickets for 25.

A good crowd saw North Down in the end lift the 20/20 cup after a match which might have been closer than the 4 wicket win for the Comber team.

Saturday saw the visit of Premier League leaders Instonians as Lisburn faced their hardest task of the season.

Instonians won the toss and batted first. They swiftly disposed of opener McClukin in the second over caught by Richard Simpson of his brother Davey’s bowling but Russell and Shannon took the score to 45 before Russell was also caught off Simpson.

When the Lisburn captain added Shannon to his haul in the 8th over, Instonians had slumped to 30 for 3 and Lisburn were well on top of the game. However, the experience of Andrew White and the class of Rory McCann recovered the situation as they added 112 for the 4th wicket gradually taking the initiative away from Lisburn.

It was Richard McConkey who broke the partnership in the 29th over when he had White caught by Robert Rankin for a very good 71 off just 78 deliveries with the Instonians score at 142 for 4.

All the bowlers performed with credit as they conceded only 72 runs off the final 18 overs leaving Instonians all out for 221 at the conclusion of their 50 overs.

David Simpson again dominated the bowling figures with his best for some time; 5 for 20 while the other wickets were shared between the rest of the attack. Richard McConkey chipped in with two very valuable wickets for 39, Darryl Brown, 1 for 43, Craig Ervine, 1 for 53 and second off spinner Carl Williams, 1 for 33 off his accurate ten overs.

Adam Berry added a further 48 with Darryl Brown in 13 overs before he lost the professional for 21, easily stumped by McClurkin in the 27th over with the Lisburn score on 93.

Berry and his capain Davey Simpson carried the score to 132 before Adam, having completed his maiden Premier League half century, was bowled by Brome for 53 leaving Lisburn still requiring 90 of the remaining 15 overs.

Mark Berry contributed a useful 16 off just 20 balls showing his potential but in the end Lisburn were all out for a disappointing 171 in the 46th over, losing the match by 50 runs and finding themselves in need of a few league wins to regain their mid table position. They are well placed to do this with home matches against Ballymena, Lurgan and Civil Service coming up in the next three weeks. The first of these is Ballymena on Saturday starting at 12 o’clock in the Park; a win is vital.