High five for Ballymena Seconds as they avoid drop

Neil Fullerton's side went into last Monday's home clash with Bangor II knowing victory would secure their place in the top flight of 2nd XI cricket for another year and they didn't let anyone down as they cruised to a seven wicket success.

Then on Saturday they travelled to Carrick II for their final match and scored a ninth league win of the summer thanks to a 52-run triumph.

Fullerton said: "I'm delighted with everyone involved with the side. I used 30 players and they all contributed something. We started the season well and finished strongly and I'm satisfied with all their efforts.

"Some players, particularly younger ones, have commitment issues and we had a couple of weak sides due to the amount of people unavailable for a variety of strange reasons.

"I have players who arrange other things around cricket, putting things off to make sure they are available. Unfortunately it is the opposite for others who simply play cricket if they have nothing else on. That's frustrating.

"It's been an eye-opener for me playing 2nd XI cricket having been a member of the senior side for over 20 years. But it's a very competitive league, contains a lot of good cricketers and is very enjoyable to be part of. Bring on 2011."

Ballymena II dismissed Bangor for 127, thanks to three wickets apiece for Richard White, Fergus Taylor and Mattie Purse and then reached their victory target with seven wickets and six overs to spare with William Montgomery top scoring with 41 and Stephen Colgan undefeated on 35.

On Saturday, Ballymena II made 172 in wet conditions at Middle Road, with White (34), James Russell (30) and Jack Gibson (30), making the biggest contributions.

Gibson shone with the ball in Carrick's reply. Claiming two wickets at a cost of just 25 runs in a superb ten over spell of pace and accuracy.

But it was left to two Third XI regulars, Andy Craig and Trevor McBurney, to secure the win as they claimed seven wickets for just 24 runs as Carrick subsided from 96 for three to 120 all out.

Stephen Colgan topped the 2nd XI batting averages having accumulated 472 runs in 13 innings for an average of 47.2, while teenager Fergus Taylor claimed the bowling honours with 15 wickets at an average of just 17.4.