Deluge forces Lisburn’s clash to be abandoned

With the weather forecast in the balance, Lisburn captain Davey Simpson asked North Down to have first use of the wicket and they had early success with the wickets of Irvine and Sutherland. Irvine was first for 9 in the 9th over bowled by Simpson while danger man Sutherland was brilliantly caught and bowled one-handed by Richard McConkey in the 15th over with North Down on 48 for 2.

North Down’s very talented opener Larkin was proving to be a threat as he and Ryan Haire settled the innings with a fine stand of 94 with Lisburn unable to break the partnership in their 20 overs together before Haire was lbw to James Magowan for a very entertaining 51 off just 63 balls.

Another stand of 82 between Larkin and Khan lifted the North Down score to 224 when the unfortunate Larkin was superbly run out by Peter Ferguson from deep extra cover for 99. He had scored his runs in classy style off only 149 deliveries with six boundaries and three sixes.

North Down could only manage a further 11 off the final two overs leaving them with the satisfactory tally of 235 for 6 in their 50 overs. Davey Simpson was again Lisburn’s best bowler with 3 for 41 off his 10 overs. James Magowan finished with 1 for 56 and the accurate McConkey had 1 for 26 also off his full quota of 10 overs.

With the rain clouds gathering, Lisburn began their reply and were immediately in trouble when they lost, first Richard Simpson for a ‘duck’ and Stephen Allen for 8 reaching 11 for 2.

Craig Ervine, playing his last match this season and still requiring 17 runs to complete his tally of 1000 for Lisburn, again steadied the ship with James Magowan in a stand of 71 which included two lengthy breaks for heavy rain. After each interruption, the Duckworth/Lewis target was recalculated. First Lisburn required 174 off 28 overs and then 162 off 20 which left Ervine and Magowan with a more than difficult task, Craig did his best to keep the target in sight with some a super 40 including three large sixes and completing his 1000 runs in the process.

However, in the 11th over Ervine was clean bowled by Marty Moreland as Lisburn reached 84 for 3 but a few minutes later a final deluge ended the match with a result impossible.

With the abandonment, Craig’s runs will not count in the official averages but all of Lisburn know that he had managed to reach his special target and his efforts this season have been monumental.

His 200 not out in Donemana earler in the season was the subject of a presentation of a framed collage of the innings in the pavilion during the tea interval performed by Cecil Walker. Cecil referred to Craig as probably the best overseas player Lisburn had ever engaged and wished him well in his next post in Perth, Australia during the winter. Lisburn are already looking forward to having him back next April.

Lisburn will have to replay this abandoned match against North Down along with the earlier postponed game against Instonians. Both matches will be 20/20 affairs and both are in the Park at dates yet to be decided.