Atkinson destroys CSNI’s order as Lisburn claim vital third league victory

Brothers Richard and David Simpson took care of the batting on their own on Sunday after a destructive bowling display left Lisburn chasing just 50 to win. US1525-529cd

Travelling to Stormont to play a CSNI side that had just beaten Waringstown the previous day at the same venue, they smahed a 10 wicket victory to ease their survival fears.

Lisburn captain Davey Simpson was somewhat surprised when, following questions about the wicket the previous day, Civil Service/North decided to bat first on the same strip.

In the end, this development proved to be crucial to the result as the hosts were bowled out for 49 by a ruthless Lisburn bowling performance.

Before the eventual onslought, the visitors had to wait for six overs before they claimed their first wicket.

Eventually it arrived as Alec Cowden was cleaned bowled by Darryl Brown and next over Simpson also bowled Horwood with the CSNI score on 16 for two.

Class performer van de Merwe was the player to settle the innings but he received little support as professional Amjad was clean bowled by Simpson, and suddenly the home side were in deep trouble at 20 for three.

The captain then introduced the bowler who was to prove to be the ‘trump card’ on the day; Callum Atkinson, who immediately had Regan West caught by Darryl Brown and Beverland clean bowled reducing CSNI to 38 for five.

The dream continued in the 17th over when danger man van de Merwe was also clean bowled by Atkinson for 15 as Lisburn went in for the kill.

Civil Service were, at this point, an incredible 39 for seven and there was more to follow. Goodall was well run out by new boy Cyril Verghese and Atkinson finished off his superb spell with the wickets of Adair and Coulter to have their opponents all out for a staggering 49 runs in 22.3 overs.

Atkinson had recorded easily his best bowling figures for Lisburn; five for nine off his 5.4 overs and had completely ruined the usually impressive Civil Service batting order.

Lisburn could hardly believe their own performance as the Simpson brothers, Davey and Richard began the simplest of replies.

Davey wasted no time in his nine overs at the crease giving the Civil Service attack no time to settle.

He smashed 38 not out off 29 balls while his partner Richard also remained not out on eight as Lisburn cantered to a most unexpected 10 wicket victory.

This result changes Lisburn’s Premier League position radically as they now have three precious wins while Ballymena have two and Carrickfergus have just a single victory.