Ethan stars on Second XI debut

FOUR wickets on debut for teenage leg spinner Ethan Archer and half centuries from William Montgomery and Jeff Martin helped Ballymena Seconds cruise to a seven wickets victory over Instonians II at Shaw's Bridge on Saturday.

After four successive defeats this was a must win for Neil Fullerton's side and the comfortable triumph sees them sit mid-table in Division Two Section One with five wins from ten starts.

At one stage the home side, who elected to bat first, were heading for a total well in excess of 230 as they were 137 for two with 15 overs remaining. But then Archer struck.

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The Ballymena Academy schoolboy removed Jake Mellor (56) and Jonny Bell (59) with some excellent flight and control and finished with figures of four for 34 from 9.4 overs as the home side collapsed to 180 all out.

Fullerton was delighted by Archer's performance but he praised all his bowlers for maintaining their discipline, with openers Richard White and Dean Gordon sharing five wickets and conceding just 51 runs from 20 overs.

In reply, Ballymena were always in total control and an opening partnership between White (17) and Montgomery (60) of 81 had the visitors well on their way to victory.

Montgomery drove the ball powerfully in his impressive knock that included one six and ten boundaries and he was joined by Martin (56 not out) who cut and pulled the home attack apart as he found the rope seven times and cleared it once.

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Peter Gregg finished 12 not out as Ballymena romped to victory with seven wickets and 11.3 overs to spare.

Instonians II 180 (E Archer 9.4-1-34-4; D Gordon 10-2-22-3; R White 10-2-29-2)

Ballymena II 184/3 (W Montgomery 60, J Martin 56 no)

Ballymena II won by 7 wickets

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