Lisburn humbled by North Down in Challenge Cup

They lost heavily by 9 wickets having managed the uncompetitive score of 85 in their innings; North Down took less than 18 overs to complete the rout and the game was over at 4pm with Lisburn totally outplayed and out of the Challenge Cup at the first stage.

Lisburn captain, Davey Simpson was quick to bat first on a hard Comber wicket in dry but cool conditions and were immediately in trouble. Ricky Simpson, century maker last week, was caught off the bowing of Timor Khan in the 2nd over and he was quickly followed by fellow centurion Robert Rankin in the 5th over leaving Lisburn struggling at 12 for 2.

Thankfully for Lisburn, their professional Darryl Brown was not going to concede to the lively North Down attack and he added 20 with the stubborn Glen Halliday in the next 8 overs but when Halliday was also caught of the accurate Davison in the 13th over, Lisburn began to freefall.

Next out was skipper Davey Simpson, caught off Eakin for a ‘duck’ in the 16th over and Richard McConkey was caught behind the wicket for 1, Lisburn had collapsed to 46 for 5 in the 17th over.

Darryl Brown continued to strike the ball exceptionally well but he kept losing his partners; wicket keeper, Neil Kilpatrick was also out for nought and when Gavin Magill was bowled by Eakin in the 22nd over, Lisburn were well and truly ‘ on the rack’ at 57 for 7.

Darryl Brown completed a face saving half century in just 68 balls but when he had reached 57 he was lbw to spinner Mulder and Lisburn had nothing left in their tail order. Darryl had scored his runs at a good pace striking six boundaries and one six.

Nathan Cartmill, making his Lisburn debut and Aaron McKeown were both out for ‘ducks’ and Callum Atkinson was not out 4 as Lisburn were dismissed for just 85 in 29.5 overs.

The Lisburn innings had been, very simply, a poor effort with pro Daryl Brown being the only batsman willing to graft for his runs; the others were dismissed with a series of ill-judged shots on a lively but true wicket with no one able to support their professional in the quest for a competitive score.

With North Down chasing the modest score of 86 to take their place in the second round of the Challenge Cup, Lisburn needed a number of quick wickets and Darryl Brown was rewarded for his accuracy in the 6th over when he had Graham lbw for 14 with the home side on 14 for 1.

Opener Sutherland was joined at the wicket by new professional Pieter Malan and he proved his worth immediately put the Lisburn attack to the sword almost from his first ball at the crease. He proceeded to completely dominate all the bowlers which Davey Simpson tried and he was especially hard on Callum Atkinson. The medium pace bowler was struck for 18 off his second over and only Darryl Brown was able to contain the South African.

Malan and Sutherland continued with their partnership adding 75 for the second wicket in just 12 overs with Malan reaching a lightning half century off just 43 balls with seven boundaries and four massive sixes. The game was over in the 18th over with Malan not out 58 and Sutherland also not out on 14.

Darryl Brown was the only Lisburn bowler to come out of the match with any credit; he recorded figures of 1 for 11 in his 7 overs again leading the way for his team.

Lisburn will have to raise their game next Saturday when they entertain Donemana in the Park in the first round of the Ulster Cup. This competition is a 40 over affair and will test all the Lisburn attack as the visitors are well renowned for their hard hitting. The match will be a replay of last seasons’s classic encounter when Craig Ervine scored his never to be forgotten double century but still lost the game off the last ball.

Lisburn skipper, Davey Simpson will have to inspire his team after their abject performance at Comber if they are to contend for any trophies this season.

North Down v Lisburn scorecard

Lisburn innings;

R.Simpson ct Malan b Khan 2

G.Halliday ct A.Shields b Davison 5

R.Rankin ct P.Shields b Davison 5

D.Brown lbw b Mulder 57

D.Simpson ct Khan b Eakin 0

R.McConkey ct P.Shields b Davison 1

N.Kilpatrick ct P.Shields b Davison 0

G.Magill b Eakin 0

C.Atkinson not out 4

N.Cartmill run out 0

A.McKeown b Mulder 0

Extras 11

Total 85 all out in 29.5 overs.

Fall of wkts 1-5 2-12 3-32 4-37 5-46 6-52 7-57 8-85 9-85 10-85

North Down bowling P.Davison 10-2-21-4 T.Khan 6-1-18-1 P.Eakin 7-0-26-2 P.Malan 4-0-11-0 J.Mulder 1.5-0-5-2 M.Moreland 1-0-1-0

North Down innings;

D.Graham lbw b Brown 9

A.Sutherland not out 14

P.Malan not out 58

Extras 8

Total 89 for 1 in 17.2 overs

Fall of wkt 1-14 Lisburn bowling D.Simpson 7-0-28-0 D.Brown 7-3-11-1 R.McConkey 1.2-0-8-0 C.Atkinson 2-0-28-0

Result: North Down won by 9 wickets.