Last ball heartache for Fourths in semi-final

Winning the toss and deciding to bat Colin McClean and Ali Gibson were restricted by accurate bowling from Holywood.

Gibson was out for 16 and McClean for 26, leaving Ballymena at 60 for 2.

No other batsman really got going on a slow track, except for a cameo from Mark Monteith. Ballymena were all out for 110 with one ball to spare.

On resumption the Ballymena bowlers soon had Holywood reeling at 40 for 7 off 20 overs with Paul Smith taking 1 for 4 off his 8 overs.

Some excellent tight fielding and good catches put the Braidmen on top but, as has been the case on a few occasions this season the oppositions 41 run eighth wicket partnership proved costly as the wiley Simms and Catherwood nurdled and pushed their way towards a winning score.

A brilliant run out from keeper Charles Deane left Holywood needing 11 off the last 2 overs and down to the last ball it went with the visitors scoring a bye off an no ball to win by 1 wicket.

The Ballymena team were dejected but all the bowlers bowled well with Bell taking 3 for 26 and Gillespie 3 for 18. The fielding was excellent and the catching of the highest order.

Now out of the Cup the Fourths have a week off to lick their wounds before resuming the league campaign in August as league leaders and in with a real chance of promotion.