Gilmour and Taiaroa help Carrick to vital win over CSNI

After being asked to bat first by the home side who had won the toss, Carrick lost both openers cheaply, and were struggling at 27 for two off 12 overs when Gilmour joined Taiaroa at the wicket.

After two rain interruptions the match was reduced to 46 overs, but the pair were still there and saw the hundred up in the 30th over with Taiaroa having completed his 50. Only 10 runs came off the next five overs, and with just 11 overs remaining an increase in the scoring rate was required. Gilmour, who had also completed a fine 50 by this time, in particular moved up a gear and a series of boundaries saw the run-rate increase in spectacular fashion.

In a superb display from both batsmen, no fewer than 85 runs came from the remaining eleven overs to give Carrick a very respectable total of 195 for four in their 46 overs. Gilmour was moving towards a maiden Premier League hundred and his score had raced to 95 with only four balls remaining when he was caught off a skied ball in an attempt to reach his personal landmark. His brilliant innings was scored off just 96 balls and contained nine fours and two sixes. Taiaroa’s innings was more subdued but just as important for his side, finishing on 79 from 132 balls with seven boundaries.

CSNI’s total had been adjusted to 210 off 46 overs using the Duckworth Lewis method, but just as the players were about to take the field for the resumption, the rain returned and, when they eventually were able to resume, the home side’s target was adjusted to 165 off 29 overs. They opened with their two big guns, Kiwi pro Marc Ellison, and their skipper, Ireland’s Nigel Jones.

They began positively but Ryan Eagleson struck for Carrick in his second over when he had Ellison caught at point for nine. Jones and Beverland then shared in what was to be the highest partnership of the innings, adding exactly 50 runs in nine overs before Anthony Martin captured the vital wicket of Jones, caught at mid-wicket for 34.

Young batsmen Beverland and Heaney saw the score past the 100-mark in the 20th over, but CSNI were starting to fall behind the required scoring rate, and as they attempted to push it along, wickets began to fall.

Martin bowled Beverland with the final delivery of his accurate spell and Ross Gelderbloem, Alex Haggan and Jamie Holmes all picked up wickets as CSNI struggled to 133 for seven, leaving them only three overs to score 32 runs. Two huge sixes from young batsman McKinney gave Carrick a fright but when he was run out the remaining tail-enders put up little resistance, and when Ryan Eagleson picked up the final wicket off the third ball of the 29th and final over, the home side’s total had reached 155.

On Saturday (July 23) Carrick entertain 2010 Ulster Bank Premier League champions North Down at Middle Road, starting at noon.