McCrea upbeat despite back-to-back defeats for Templepatrick Seconds

With the Templepatrick senior side idle at the weekend the spotlight was on the 2nd XI, but they failed to pick up any Junior League Section 3 points from two outings.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th May 2015, 07:08 BST
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On Saturday they were well beaten at Belmont, but on Sunday, against CSNI II, the result was in doubt until the penultimate delivery at Stormont.

Coach Andy McCrea said: “We are doing our best to nurture homegrown talent, so our Seconds and Thirds are comprised mainly of teenagers. We lost these two matches but the lads have a win under their belts and are looking forward to this weekend’s Intermediate Cup tie against Cregagh II in Ballyclare.”

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Failure to put sufficient runs on the board in Saturday’s clash with CIYMS II, left McCrea’s side fighting an uphill battle.

Niall Kelly (14) and Adam Clarke (13) were the top scorers when they were restricted to 55 in 26 overs, and the hosts polished off the runs for the loss of only two wickets taken by teenagers Andy McCalmont and Michael Stewart.

Against CSNI 2nd XI, played in a Twenty20 format, Paddy Lutton (25), Jason McAuley (17) and Rhydian Davies (14 not-out) laid the foundation for posting a respectable 98.

The tension mounted in the home team’s closing overs and needing seven runs to win, CI managed to get home with one ball to spare. This despite fine bowling figures: Peter Shepherd 3 for 20; Jordan Carlisle 2 for 10; and Rhys Wallace 1 for 5. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Munro was pleased with his 1 for 20 return.