Another chastening defeat for cricketers

The Eaton Park side, still missing several key players, fought back well in the field to restrict their visitors to 192 for 9 after they had raced to 107 for 1 in 25 overs. Unfortunately the Ballymena batsmen never looked capable of even getting close to their 193 target.

Ballymena captain Simon McDowell put Lurgan in to bat, a decision that seemed justified when Michael Glass picked up an early wicket.

This brought together Lurgan professional Godbole and his captain Johnston, a pair who had given Ballymena’s bowlers considerable problems last season. And once again they gradually got on top of the Ballymena bowlers who, apart from Michael Glass, bowled too many loose deliveries.

Things were looking bleak for Ballymena as the pair took the score to 118 for 1 after 27 overs. However the home side then showed real spirit by fighting their way back into the match – indeed in the next 23 overs Ballymena took 8 wickets and conceded only 74 runs. First Steve Lazars had Johnston caught and then Glass trapped Godbole LBW.

Encouraged by these wickets and helped by lively fielding, Ballymena’s bowlers pegged back the scoring rate and picked up wickets at regular intervals. After an inaccurate opening over, Jack Gibson bowled well and completed his 10 over stint for 41 runs. Promising seam bowler Johnny McClelland bowled the final 8 overs from the town end and finished with impressive figures of 3 for 31. With sharp fielding contributing to 3 run-outs, Ballymena WERE pleased with their efforts in the second half of the Lurgan innings.

A target of 193 represented a big challenge for Ballymena’s understrength batting and a good start was vital. However opening bowler Lyness quickly dismissed Derek Lynch, Gibson and Lazars and then his opening partner Grieve bowled William Montgomery to leave Ballymena 27 for 4.

Opening bat James Kennedy battled hard for 18 overs for his 13, but once he was out Ballymena looked a well-beaten side. However a complete collapse was averted by a brave captain’s innings from Simon McDowell who batted sensibly and well for his 36. After McDowell was caught going for another boundary, Lurgan spinner Godbole quickly mopped up the Ballymena tail to leave Lurgan winners by 100 runs. Godbole’s five wickets and 65 runs deservedly brought him the “Man of the Match” award.

After a very tough month of cricket, Ballymena may not be too disappointed to have no game this week-end. They would hope that by the time they play Waringstown on June 7 they will have a stronger side – certainly indications are that Indian professional Yogesh Takawale, whose arrival has been delayed by his call-up to the Indian Premier League, will have arrived.