Plate victory for Derriaghy U11s

Having won their five previous games to reach the play off final Derriaghy were in confident mood for the Shaw’s bridge encounter. All their victories this season had been achieved by batting first and so it was no surprise that when captain Reece Malone won the toss he again chose to bat.

After the early loss of Joe Anderson, Reece was joined by Rory Brown and together this pair constructed one of the best partnerships seen for any Derriaghy team in many years.

Both players showed maturity beyond their years and both deservedly reached their half centuries in the final over as they shared a second wicket stand of 110. Rory scored 52 before being out of the penultimate ball hitting five 4s and a 6 (this seen his 50 up).

Reece finished on 51 not out which also included five fours but it was the pairs rotating of the strike that was so pleasing to witness and so uplifting for the coaches. In total they managed 51 singles and although most of the Lisburn bowlers stuck to their task well the batting pair never permitted the bowlers to get on top.

The final total of 114-2 was exactly the same as their semi final win over Ballymena so they knew it would take something special to overhaul them.

Bearing in mind the advice of coach Jonny Bell to keep the ball well up to the bat Malone and Brown opened the bowling. Again the pair produced the goods with Reece sending down four overs for just two runs and picking up one wicket while Brown was wicketless in his four but only conceding 14 runs.

A special mention must also go to a fine direct throw by Ben White that ran out Lisburn opener N Doak during these eight overs.

For the remaining 12 overs the Wallace Park boys of Matt Thornton (32 not out) and Michael Glass (24 not out) seen off whatever bowlers Jamie White, Robbie Jamison and Ben Hamill threw at them and despite finishing on 83 for 2 it was clear from early on they were going to finish second best.

The fine Derriaghy bowling was backed up by good work from all the fielders including wicket keeper Ben Kenny but it was the displays from Brown and Malone that really caught the eye.

Coaches Bell, Stuart Hughes and David Edwards along with manager David Skelton were justifiably proud of their young stars performance on the night and very satisfied by the progress made throughout the season.