Academy’s young guns fire to victory

The 3rd XI, led by skipper Adam Sloan, were in action at Moylena where they picked up maximum Junior League Section 8 points with a win by four wickets at the expense of Muckamore IV.

In their 30 overs the hosts posted 150 for the loss of eight wickets, but this wasn’t enough against the Hydepark lads who finished on 151 for 6.

A productive partnership between David Reid (46) and Daniel Barnes (45) laid the foundation for victory, with Stephen Fawcett also contributing a useful 20.

This win keeps Academy in the top half of the table having won 4 from 7 games.

David McLarnon’s 4th XI extended their 100 per cent record in Junior League Section 9 with a win by 43-run against Victoria III in Portadown.

Batting first, Academy set an imposing target with a score 196 for 8 in their 30 overs. Team coach Ian Moffett top-scored with 68 with sound support from Adam Wilson (30) and a healthy 34 in the extras column.

Moffett confirmed his all-rounder claims when he returned bowling figures of 2 for 27, bettered only by skipper McLarnon with 2 for 23, while Lee Thompson had 1 for 12.

Victoria were well in contention for a time but eventually they finished 43 runs short on 153 for 8.

With three wins from three outings, the Academy lads are in second spot behind leaders Cregagh III who have maximum points from four fixtures completed.

The seniors had no game at the weekend but they resume their Senior League Section 2 programme on Saturday when they travel to Lurgan Park to take on Portadown.

Mark Shields’s lads have slipped to third spot behind Armagh and Cooke Collegians, but, with a game in hand, they still have title hope high on the agenda.

The other fixtures are; 2nd XI v Cliftonville II, away; 4th XI v Cliftonville III, away (both on Saturday), and 3rd XI v CSNI VI on Sunday.