Derriaghy maintain fine form with superb win

Derriaghy President Graham Kenny (second left) and Club Professional Kaushik Aphale receive Ulster Bank League Awards which go to players who score a century, take at least six wickets or perform a hat-trick in the four sections of the Ulster Bank NCU Senior League. Kaushik won his award for his 101 against Lurgan in May and Graham collected an award on behalf of Craig Lewis who scored 123 not out against Downpatrick. The awards were presented by Billy Boyd, President of the NCU (left), and Stephen Cruise of Ulster Bank. Pic by Rowland White/PressEye

The home side batted first and lost early wickets to Craig Lewis and Peter Bell.

After this the bowlers kept on top and eventually dismissed Templepatrick for 90 runs. Lewis returned figures of 3 for 21, Mark Stinson 3 for 25, Rob Cumins 2 for 10 and Peter Bell 2 for 22.

After tea the Queensway men made light work of the runs required scoring at a rate of 5 an over to see victory up inside 18 overs. Stephen Cairnduff 29, Kaushik Aphale 27 and C Lewis 17no were the main scorers.

On Sunday Derriaghy travelled to Rush CC in north Dublin to take on the locals in the quarter finals of the National cup. Despite hitting an impressive 293 for 9 with Lewis and Aphale recording 50’s and many other useful contributions down the order it was not enough. On the small ground with an extremely fast outfield the home batsmen got off to a flyer reaching 120 without loss in 16 overs. The visiting bowlers did stem the flow of runs and picked up 4 wickets in the middle order but an unbeaten 80 run partnership saw Rush through to the semi final.

This week Derriaghy face Muckamore twice inside 48 hours at Queensway. On Thursday evening it’s the semi final of the Lagan Valley Steels T20 competition starting at 6pm. Then on Saturday it is league action starting at 11am.

The Seconds meanwhile narrowly lost out in a very entertaining game against Ballymena. Batting first Derriaghy posted 182 for 7 with R Mullholland 40 not out, S Hegarty and D Ferris both 28, J McMullan 21 and S Cardosi 20 being the main contributors.

The visitors struggled at the start of their reply against some accurate bowling and at the half way point were 82 for 4 then 91 for 5.

However two vital stands involving the veteran Neil Fullerton saw them home with 6 balls and 3 wickets to spare. This Saturday the Seconds travel to face Academy.

Two Derriaghy youth players, Ben White and Matthew Halliday starred for the NCU Under 11 team last weekend in their Inter Pro series.

Having set their opponents, the North West 131 to win in 30 overs, the two Derriaghy lads opened the bowling and took early wickets, Halliday picking up 3 for 8 and White 1 for 9. The NW side struggled after this and were eventually dismissed for 46.

In midweek the Under 13s crashed out of the Banogue cup to Lisburn while the Under 15s collected another good league win away to CIYMS with both Cardosi twins, Sam and Josh collecting 50s in a 68 run victory.