Form book is forgotten in great win for Lisburn

The game was seriously influenced by Duckworth/Lewis revisions as a number of heavy rain showers created a frustrating game, but in the end Lisburn won a tense disrupted affair.

Again the architect of the visitors win was Craig Ervine who played by far the most valuable innings of the damp afternoon. His 84 not out was the basis of Lisburn’s success after his team had been sent into bat when Waringstown won a vital toss and lost Adam Berry in the 7th over for just 3 with the score on 14.

Robert Rankin was joined by Ervine at the crease and the pair set about stabilising the Lisburn innings. They batted with great diligence for 13 overs adding 38 important runs before Rankin was bowled by Greg Thompson for a very valuable 23 scored in 20 overs.

Darryl Brown, batting at number four, looked totally positive from his first ball and when both he and Craig Ervine began to play some fine shots, Lisburn moved into a strong position. The third wicket stand developed at a pace and produced 80 runs in just 13 overs as the talented Waringstown attack struggled to contain the Lisburn pair.

Brown struck a massive six just before his dismissal in the 33nd over; he had scored a brisk 24 off only 33 balls but it was Ervine who totally controlled the innings with some superb shots which included nine boundaries across a very wet outfield.

A further 24 runs were added with Nathan Waller who scored 14 off 13 deliveries but when he was caught in the 37th over with the Lisburn tally at 156 the Lisburn innings closed as the overs could not be reduced any further due to the rain breaks.

The final total of 156 for 4 in 37 overs was dominated by Craig Ervine who finished the innings 84 not out including 9 fours and a six in his 30 overs occupation of the crease and his contribution left Lisburn in a good position with the prospect of a further reduced over match almost a certainty.

The Lisburn attack responded to the task in front of it with Waringstown set a revised total of 181 in 37 overs. Captain Davey Simpson lead from the front with the early prize wicket of Kyle McCallan lbw for 2 in the first over and James Hall, well caught by Nathan Waller with the score on 26.

The home side looked like having a match winner in Lee Nelson who played some exciting shots adding 24 with danger man Obus Pienaar before he too was lbw, this time to the spin of Craig Ervine.

Waringstown had reached the total of 50 for 3 in only 9 overs, well up with the run rate but when Pienaar and ex Lisburn player, Greg Thompson had added just a few runs, Lisburn made the break through they hoped for; Darryl Brown found a great delivery to clean bowl Pienaar for 9 in the 12th over and the visitors were on their way to a shock result.

However, following another rain break and another revision of the required score, Greg Thompson began to score freely supported by David Dawson at the other end. Thompson struck two large sixes and two boundaries and for a while looked like taking the game away from Lisburn before the return of Nathan Waller to the attack saw his dismissal. Thompson tried to pull Waller but mistimed his shot and was caught by Carl Williams at long leg for a very menacing 31.

The 5th wicket had fallen in the 24th over and Waringstown were faced with a very difficult task needing to score at nearly 8 runs per over to grab an unlikely win and Lisburn were not going to let the match slip at that stage.

Lisburn’s bowling was faultless during this crucial period of play and even Richard McConkey played a big part when he saw off Waringstown’s last hope, Dawson, stumped by Stephen Allen for a threatening 25 leaving his team with the impossible task of scoring 40 in the 4 overs remaining.

Lisburn claimed three more wickets before time ran out for the Waringstown with a final score of 152 for 9, 13 runs short on the revised Duckworth/Lewis calculation.

If Craig Ervine set up the game with his 84, the Lisburn attack excelled itself throughout the 30 overs. Davey Simpson made the early inroads with the wickets of McCallan and Hall and finished with 3 for 48 off his 7 overs.

He was backed all the way by Darryl Brown with 2 for 18 including the plum scalp of Pienaar, Nathan Waller, 1 for 29, Craig Ervine, 1 for 20 and Richard McConkey, 1 for 7. This had been Lisburn’s best bowling performance of the season and at the end of a match which had lasted almost 8 hours, they fully deserved the vital league points and a win which will do wonders for their morale and their quest to climb the Premier League table over the next few weeks.

They have the chance of another success next Saturday when they entertain CIYMS in the Park; their first home game of the season. Skipper, Davey Simpson is looking forward to getting back to the Park after their imposed break and he will be hoping to put in another match winning performance.

Lisburn’s Summer scheme starts next Tuesday on the following times: U11’s. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am to 12noon. U13’s and U15’s - same days 12noon to 2pm. If in doubt about weather follow @officiallcc on Twitter.