Gaw and Ruys make it a job well Dun for high-flying Larne

Gareth Gaw (64 not-out) and Caemron Ruys (55), with his first half-century of the season, propelled Chris Dempsey’s men to the win.

Dungannon won the toss which meant Willy Graham and Aaron McKinley took the new ball, both bowling with great pace and control. They immediately put the home openers under pressure. Graham was rewarded with the first wicket when he cleaned-bowled the opening batsmen for nought after proving to be a little too quick for him.

At the other end, McKinley thought he had removed Adrian with a perfect yorker, but the bowler’s joy was soon ended when he realised he had bowled a no-ball and that the wicket was not going to count.

The returning Jithin Kuriakose provided Larne with an excellent first change option and was unfortunate not to get his name in the book when numerous chances fell just short of, or in between, the fielders. On another day the young seamer could have picked up two or three wickets.

After 12 overs of seam Larne skipper Dempsey turned to his spinners and introduced Gaw along with himself into the attack. Gaw settled quickly and provided great control, finishing with 1-21 from his eight overs. He removed Scott for 36 with his penultimate delivery.

With wickets in hand Larne knew Dungannon would come at them hard in the pursuit of quick runs.

Ruys picked up one wicket and McKinley two when he removed Adrian for 32 and the Dungannon captain Meeke with successive deliveries.

This, along with an excellent run-out by Dempsey, helped restrict the home side to a total of 138-6.

Without regular openers Alexander and Baxter, Gaw and Ruys were challenged with getting the Larne reply off to a positive start, which they did with aplomb. Ruys signalled his intent with a glorious cover drive for four and didn’t look back. He mixed solid defence with positive stroke play, which included a massive six, and finished unbeaten on 55.

After a cautious start, Gaw fired shots all around the ground, punishing loose deliveries from the spinners. He finished 64 not-out and, along with Ruys, helped Larne to coast to victory with almost 10 overs to spare.

Larne make the trip to Belfast on Saturday to take on PSNI.

Dungannon 138-6 (R Scott 36, M Creevy 33no, C Adrain 32, A McKinley 2-18

Larne 139-0 (G Gaw 64no, C Ruys 55no)