Defeat leaves Seconds still searching for first victory

Chasing just 159 for victory, the visitors eased to their winning total with nine wickets and ten overs to spare. Captain Jonathan Gordon finished 67 not out, while former Ballymena player David Rainey, was 29 not out at the end.

Earlier in the day the home side were perilously placed on 90 for 7 when one of four rain breaks brought the players off the field.

Ricky McNeill (24), Adam Pogue (17) and David Montgomery (14) all occupied the crease for a number of overs but none of them went on to make the big score that was required.

In the end it took an unbeaten 68 run partnership between Trevor McBurney (48 not out) and Neil Fullerton (15 not out) to help Ballymena to a respectable 158 for seven.

But it was never enough as the Ballymena bowlers struggled to find a line or length with Matthew Purse the notable exception.

Ethan Archer grabbed the one wicket that fell but 36 extras summed up another bad day at the office for the Ballymena bowlers.

The Seconds don’t play next weekend but host Woodvale II in the semi-final of the Intermediate Cup on Saturday, July 19.