Change of fortunes for Lisburn with last ball win at Brigade

Lisburn’s fortunes took a dramatic turn for the better when they travelled to Beechgrove, Londonderry, and defeated Brigade by the narrow margin of 4 runs.
Robin Finchy-Graham bowling for Lisburn Thirds against Bangor Thirds, at Wallace Park. US1423-551cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonRobin Finchy-Graham bowling for Lisburn Thirds against Bangor Thirds, at Wallace Park. US1423-551cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Robin Finchy-Graham bowling for Lisburn Thirds against Bangor Thirds, at Wallace Park. US1423-551cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

This was the third game this season which has involved a last ball finish; this time they kept their nerve to see off a strong Brigade side which almost pulled an unlikely victory out of the fire.

Batting first on the best Saturday of the season so far, Lisburn quickly lost James Magowan in the second over and then Adam Berry in the third leaving them precariously placed at 7 for 2.

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Craig Ervine joined Robert Rankin in a very good stand which lasted for 11 overs adding 53 in the process before Ervine, having looked very good was surprisingly caught and bowled by Dunn for 25 scored off just 37 balls.

Robert Rankin was showing his best form of the season and scored freely all round the wicket and along with Richard Simpson put on 41 for the 4th wicket before Richard was clean bowled by Hepburn for a steady 16 giving Lisburn a score of 101 for 4 at the half way stage of their innings.

With the outfield fast and the wicket fairly true, Lisburn knew they would need a total of at least 200 to give Brigade a testing target but when Robert Rankin was stumped for a very good 52 scored of only 70 balls, and at 101 for 4.

This left the innings in the hands of skipper Davey Simpson and professional Darryl Brown and they proceeded to take the previously solid Brigade attack apart in the next 16 overs.

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Both batsmen punished the loose ball unmercifully with Darryl striking 70 off 51 deliveries and David 46 of only 36 balls as they produced an innings changing stand of exactly 100 boosting the Lisburn total to an unlikely 223 at the end of their allotted 40 overs. They had scored at over six runs per over accelerating as the final overs were bowled to leave Brigade somewhat shattered and chasing a very good target of 224 in their 40 overs.

Lisburn gave too may runs away during the opening two overs but in the third, McGregor was brilliantly caught at second slip by the diving Craig Ervine and the good work continued when the quick scoring Hunter was caught behind the wicket by Trevor McKeown off the bowling of Davey Simpson who had also claimed the first wicket to fall.

Two more successes followed in the 9th and 10th overs with the score on 43. Firstly, McDaid was lbw to Richard McConkey and then just a few balls later, the prize wicket of professional Amarnath, clean bowled by Darryl Brown leaving Brigade poorly placed at 43 for 4 in the 10th over.

With Brigade requiring 112 off 18 overs to win, Lisburn were clear favourites but the class of Thompson was still evident and when he found another willing partner in McKeegan, the game was far from over. The pair added a 22 in quick time before Thompson, playing back to Craig Ervine was adjudged lbw and Brigade had lost their trump card for 40 just when he looked like taking the match away from the visitors.

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Brigade, at this stage were 134 for 6 in the 27th over as Lisburn crept towards the winning line and when they added two more wickets for the addition of only 22 runs they seemed to be home and dry. However, they did not take account of Brigade number 11, Simpson who proceeded to scare Lisburn almost to defeat as he carved a brutal 24 off just 19 balls and had taken his team to the position of requiring 12 runs off the final over.

The game reached fever pitch during the last over as Brigade’s last pair at the crease eventually needed 5 off the final ball. However, they could not connect with Darryl Brown’s delivery taking just a single and leaving Lisburn winners by 4 runs much to the relief of all at Lisburn.

This was a game which Lisburn simply had to win if they were to extend their season and they did this with some nerve and resilience. The bowlers had stuck to their task with Davey Simpson again leading the way with 3 for 36 off 7 overs. He was supported by Darryl Brown with 1 for 38, Craig Ervine, 1 for 33, James Magowan, 1 for 49 and the excellent Richard McConkey who returned his best figures for Lisburn with three crucial wickets for 34 in his 7 overs.

Their reward for win is another trip to the North West when they play Donemana later in the month.

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Lisburn return to the Premier League this Saturday when they play against CSNI for the third time in three weeks. They have already lost the Challenge Cup match by 1 wicket and last week the 20/20 match in the Park but Davey Simpson will be looking for his teams second league success of the season and a shunt up the league table.

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