Carrick defeat league champions Muckamore

Carrick batted first and Gilmour made his intentions clear from the outset when he smashed 18 runs for Gill’s first over. Carrick’s 50 came up in the fourth over, and an over later Gilmour completed his 50 off only 25 balls.

They passed the 100 mark in the 11th over, with Gilmour continuing to dominate. However, in the next over, he was bowled just 10 runs short of his century. His superb innings was scored off only 42 balls, and contained nine fours and six sixes.

Taiaroa, who had been content to play the anchor role was then joined by Delport, who proceeded to carry on where Gilmour had left off.

The 200 came up for Carrick in the 18th over, and both batsmen reached their 50s just before the end of their 20 overs, by which time the Carrick total had reached a formidable 217 for one.

Delport hammered 57 runs off just 28 deliveries, including seven sixes, while Taiaroa’s more subdued 56 still came at better than a run a ball.

Muckamore struggled to 76 for four off 10 overs, but Brian Baguley was still there and finding the boundary regularly as he hit a fine 50 off 29 balls. He and skipper Neil Gill hit 69 runs in the next six overs to give their side hope.

However, Ryan Eagleson then struck the vital blows for Carrick when he dismissed both batsmen off successive deliveries. That ended the game as a contest and Muckamore reached a respectable 166 for eight at the end of their 20 overs.

Eagleson took three for 13 in three overs, while Stephen Grant and first-team debutant PT Aston, picked up two wickets each. Richard Hood was the remaining one to fall.

Carrickfergus 217/1 (M Gilmour 90, M Taiaroa 56*, L Delport 57*)

Muckamore 166/8 (B Baguley 75, A Bratten 24, N Gill 24, R Eagleson 3-13, PT Aston 2-31, S Grant 2-48)

Carrick won by 51 runs

This Sunday Carrick entertain Woodvale at Middle Road in their final match of the season (noon).