CRICKET: Bryans helps Templepatrick progress to Ulster Shield semi-final

Ross Bryans bowling for Templepatrick in their NCU Section 1 league game against Bangor. INNT 27-002-PSB

Skipper Ross Bryans starred with ball and bat, taking four wickets as the home side were bowled out for 150 in their allotted 40 overs, before contributing 34 runs as his side cruised to a surprise win with two wickets and two overs to spare.

Armagh began confidently but slumped from 74 for one to 77 for five as Bryans, Phil Kernaghan and John Busby (2) ripped the heart out of the innings. Meanwhile, overseas player Kamtekar continued to bat fluently for his top score of 77, until removed by Josh Cowan. His departure at 138 for seven exposed the tail with the last three wickets adding only 12 runs.

Bryans (4 for 14) and Busby (3 for 27) were the main wicket takers with support from Cowan (2 for 36) and Kernaghan (1 for 22).

In reply, Bryans (34) and teenager Adam Clarke (5) got TCC off to a steady start with 41 for the first wicket, but then the pendulum swung in Armagh’s favour when Richard Greer, Jordan Carlisle and Jay Hunter all failed to get in to double figures, reducing the score to 55 for five.

Then came a match-winning partnership of 62 between James Jackson (45) and Kernaghan (30), with Michael Stewart making sure of a place in the last four of this top competition with a quick-fire 13 off 19 balls, as the innings closed on 151 for 8 in the 38th over.

Armagh’s most successful bowler was Andy Smyth who returned the impressive figures of 4-1-10-3.

Bowler John Busby made a welcome return from England and just missed out on a hat-trick after taking two of his three wickets with successive deliveries.

Bryans’ lads will meet either Bangor, Downpatrick or Muckamore in the semi-final, on a date to be decided.

The 2nd XI’s fixture with Derriaghy II and the Thirds trip to Donaghcloney III fell foul of the weather. Fixtures: 1st XI v Laurelvale; CSNI III v 2nd XI; Waringstown IV v 4th XI (Sunday).

TCC U15 skipper Adam Clarke was included in the NCU U15 side that recorded victories against North West and Southern XIs last week. Adam is off on tour to Denmark this week with the NCU Under 15s.