CRICKET REVIEW: Templepatrick reel off third league win in a row

Artie Campbell top-scored for Templepatrick in their win over Cregagh. NT35-368RS

Batting first, Cregagh were bowled out for 120 in 41.4 overs, and Ross Bryans’ lads reached the target with three wickets to spare by posting 122 for 7 in 37.3 overs.

A Skelton (24) and C Rea (21) were top scorers for the home side, with Skelton and M Johnston (19) steadying the innings with a fourth-wicket partnership of 20, after the first three wickets fell for 42 runs.

The hosts were struggling to take their total into three figures until Skelton and Rea put together a ninth wicket partnership of 21 runs, but it was never going to be enough.

Bryans was tops in the bowling department with 3-23, with support from Michael Stewart, Jonny Ramsay and Jordi Fettis who each took two wickets.

In reply, TCC lost openers Jay Hunter and Adam Clarke with only 24 runs on the board, but the arrival of Artie Campbell, who is currently in a fine vein of form, set the visitors on the road to victory.

Campbell top-scored with a patient 22 scored off 68 balls, and his fifth wicket partnership of 36 with Ricky Greer (18) advanced the score to 91, leaving Fettis (12 not-out) to hit the winning runs.

Other significant contributions came from Hunter (15), James Jackson (12) and Stewart (12).

The win enhanced TCC’s third position, behind joint leaders Cliftonville and Holywood, who both have maximum points from four outings.

Cregagh 120 (A Skelton 24, R Bryans 3-23, M Stewart 2-33, J Ramsay 2-24, J Fettis 2-18)

Templepatrick 121-7 (A Campbell 22). TCC beat Cregagh by 3 wickets

n Skipper Ross Bryans and Artie Campbell were Templepatrick’s heroes in Sunday’s Ulster Shield clash with Bonds Glen, when they won the remote bowl out 2-1 after the tie had been washed out following overnight rain.

Weekend fixtures: 1st XI v Holywood, home; 2nd XI v Holywood II, away; 3rd XI v North Down IV, away (Sunday).

There was a good win for Templepatrick Under-15s against local rivals Carrick CC in the league on Monday evening. Matthew McClean (38) and Adam Clarke (35) top-scored in a convincing seven-wicket win.