Disappointment for Lisburn as CSNI seal eight wicket victory

Visitors Civil Service/North put their faith in their opening attack of McCarter and Getkate and they were rewarded when they claimed the wicket of Richard Simpson in the 3rd over and Robert Rankin in the 5th, both off McCarter and both caught behind the wicket by Goodall leaving Lisburn struggling early in their innings at 21 for 2.

Lisburn’s captain, Adam Berry, promoted himself to number three and briefly with professional Cody Chetty looked as if they could manage to take control of the game but again were stunned when Chetty was caught in the slips, also off McCarter for 5 with the score on 40 after 13 overs.

Berry continued to bat with some authority adding a further 17 with Stevie Lazars before he too was dismissed for 31, stumped by Goodall off Adair in the 20th over as Lisburn were reduced to 57 for 4.

The skipper had scored his runs off 45 balls with 5 boundaries before his promising innings came to an end.

Lisburn, still with their in-form batsman Lazars at the crease could not manage a stand of any consequence as David Simpson was caught chipping the ball to mid–wicket for 1 and Simon Olphert bowled by spinner Amjad for a ‘duck’ as they slumped to 58 for 6 in the 21st over.

Graeme Browne joined Lazars at the wicket and for the first time in the Lisburn innings they applied themselves for a while adding 30 precious runs in 12 overs with Browne prepared to keep his wicket intact while Lazars tried to score valuable runs for his side.

The 7th wicket partnership unfortunately ended in the 33rd over when Browne was caught behind the wicket of Amjad and an over later Lisburn last chance of posting a reasonable score was dashed when Stevie Lazars was clean bowled by van de Merwe for 21 off a patient 62 deliveries.

The dismissal of Lazars let Lisburn crumbling on 82 for 8 and Richard McConkey and Callum Atkinson could only manage a further 7 between them leaving Lisburn somewhat humiliated, all out for a paltry 90 on a good wicket against a less than terrifying attack.

Once again the brittle Lisburn batting had failed to answer the call leaving Civil Service/North with the simple task of scoring 91 to claim the league points and condemn Lisburn to the depths of the Premier League, admittedly at a very easy stage of the season.

CSNI openers spent little time getting their innings on it’s way with a quick 35 in the first 6 overs giving Lisburn no chance of making the vital break through.

Mark Berry did grab the wicket of Agnew when he clean bowled the opener for 25 and they also had the scalp of van de Merwe in the 11th over for 5, clean bowled by Stevie Lazars when the CSNI score was 50.

However, Alex Cowden and professional Amjad saw their innings through with a 3rd wicket stand of 41 to take the visitors home to a decisive 8 wicket victory in the 21st over leaving the Wallace Park without cricket at 4 p.m. in the afternoon and all involved with Lisburn very disappointed with the performance.

The match was sponsored by Robin Walsh.

This week Lisburn have two games.

On Friday they travel to Comber to play North Down in their second match in the 20/20 group.

After their stunning win over CIYMS in the opening match, they will be confident of a second victory over a North Down team which has started the season without much success.

On Saturday they entertain Carrickfergus to the Park with their first win in the Premier League season still eluding them.

The opposition have begun their season with a flourish winning both their matches and with a long batting order will give Lisburn another difficult afternoon.

Mark Berry had taken 1 for 25 in his three overs while Stevie Lazars had 1 for 24 off his 8 accurate overs but at no time did the Lisburn attack really threaten the CSNI batting as they chased the well under par total.

MATCH SCORECARD

R.Simpson ct Goodall by McCarter 7

R.Rankin ct Goodall by McCarter 5

A.Berry st Goodall b Adair 31

C.Chetty ct Getkate b McCarter 5

S.Lazars b van de Merwe 21

D.Simpson ct Adair b Amjad 1

S.Olphert b Amjad 0

G.Browne ct Goodall b Amjad 5

M.Berry b van de Merwe 0

R.McConkey ct and b Amjad 3

C.Atkinson not out 2

Extras 10

Total 90 all out in 29 overs.

Fall of wkts 1-12 2-21 3-40 4-57 5-58 6-58 7-82 8-83 9-93 10-90

CSNI Bowling G.McCarter 10-1- 25-3 S.Getkate 6-1- 22-0 B.Adair 10-3- 21-1 M.Amjad 9.4-3- 19-4 J.van de Merwe 3-1- 2-2

CSNI innings

D.Agnew b M.Berry 25

A.Cowden not out 17

J.van de Merwe b Lazars 5

M.Amjad not out 30

Extras 14

Total 91 for 2 in 21.5 overs

Fall of wkts 1-35 2-50

Lisburn bowling D.Simpson 3-0- 7-0 M.Berry 3-0- 25-1 S.Lazars 8-1- 24-1 C.Atkinson 3-0- 17-0 R.McConkey 3-1- 6-0 G.Browne 1.5-0- 7-0

Result Civil Service/North won by 8 wickets.