Millpark were singing in the rain with a fine win away to Dungannon

With no game the previous Saturday the team were keen to get back on the pitch.

This keenness was to be severely tested as they arrived at the ground to be met with steady rainfall. With the forecast predicting it to dry up later in the day, Dungannon won the toss and chose to bowl first on what an appeared a helpful pitch.

Millpark opened with Skipper McCart and Davey Glover. The pair made a steady start before McCart was unlucky to be bowled playing on for 13.

Neil Reilly joined Glover, fresh from his holiday, and the pair continued to run hard between the wickets, before Reilly departed for 12.

Ben Talbot got in, then out for 14, before Glover fell for a well-constructed 37.

As the rain continued to fall batting and bowling became difficult and boundaries were difficult to find. David Maxwell batted superbly to finish with 25 not out as the others chipped in around him, in particular Stu McCart with 14. A score of 160 in 35 overs looked very competitive especially considering the conditions.

Dungannon skipper J Meeke opened the batting with the evergreen C Adrian and started well. It was to be Millpark’s leading bowling Glover who made the breakthrough, with Adrian caught at the second attempt by D Maxwell.

Young Harry Lockhart was making the ball talk at the other end and was unfortunate not pick up the wicket of the dangerous Creevy, when he was uncharacteristically dropped by the Skipper.

It was left to Ian McCart to remove him, when he was smartly caught behind by John Simpson. Wickets continued to fall throughout the innings from one end, as Meeke continued to score runs at the other.

While he was at the crease Dungannon still had a chance. However with the run rate increasing big shots were required and this led to do Meeke’s downfall, as he was stumped by Simpson, off the controlled bowling of David Maxwell (3-30), for an excellent 48.

From there the Dungannon innings petered out to finish all out on 96, with Stevie McCart finishing with superb figures of 3-2. Millpark won by 64 runs in a game, which was played almost entirely in the rain, for which both teams deserve much credit. With no umpires the game was nevertheless played fairly and in great spirits and the club wish Dungannon all the best for the rest of the season.