Record breaker McBrine hoping for more wickets

Over the years the Holm men have unearthed the likes of Decker Curry, William Porterfield, the McBrine’s Junior and James, well another McBrine has managed to write himself into the record books.

Junior’s son William recorded memorable figures of nine wickets for just 33 runs in their Danske Bank Senior Cup win over Killyclooney and those remarkable stats means he became the youngest cricketer to have ever collected nine wickets in a limited overs game in the North West.

“It wasn’t too bad,” stated a shy McBrine.

“I haven’t bowled as good as that with the seniors before and I bowled well against Bready, but I don’t think I’ll do that again, I think it’s a one-off.

“With the youth team a few times I got six or seven wicket hauls, but never nine.”

The Donemana youngster now goes into the record books along side the likes of Scott Huey, Alan Moorehead, Alwyn Dougherty, George Brolly (Snr), Gary Taylor, William Wilson, Raymond Hepburn and Norman Moore to name but a few men who have taken all ten or nine wickets in one game.

This season McBrine along with the McClintock twins Gary and William have played a major role in Donemana’s early season good form and for the 16-year-old he hopes to keep that form going.

“I want to stay in the seniors this season and for years to come, hopefully I can keep doing what I’m doing and that this form that I’m in at the minute can continue, so that I can book my place in the side for the rest of the season,” he added.

“This season we lost Ryan Hunter to Brigade but because of that young players like myself get a chance with the seniors and it’s up to me to do well so that I can stay in the team.

“You have to take your chance when you do get the opportunity in the team and particularly when you are bowling.”

Up until the weekend the 16-year-old was the current leading wicket taker in the Premiership, having collected 17 wickets at an average of 6.2 per game, but the former Strabane High School pupil is only worried about keeping the Holm men top of the league.

“Hopefully we do better this season, particularly in the All Ireland competition or even the Ulster Cup, it would be good to retain the league and also add a few more trophies from last year.”

The Spurs supporter, who now joins the elite few who has skittled out nine or more wickets in a game, also hopes one day him and his older brother Andrew will play for Ireland at the highest level.

McBrine has already tasted international cricket at a young age, having played for Ireland at both U13 and 15. He also took part in the European Championships in Guernsey last year.

“In many years to come it would be great to break into the Ireland squad, maybe even play with my big brother, but we’ll see.

“I have played for Ireland at both U13 and 15 at the minute and really enjoyed the European Championships last year in Guernsey.”

Club captain Richard Kee concedes he has no worries about throwing the ball to the right arm spinner, no matter what stage the game is at as he feels the shy teenager can cope with the pressure, no matter if it’s a North West Senior Cup tie or a crucial Premiership league encounter.

“The start he has had is remarkable and if he keeps bowling well and keeps putting it on the spot, then you never know, he may just finish as leading wicket taker in the North West,” he conceded.

“Every time even last season whenever we gave him the ball he bowled beyond his age and he bowls very little bad balls, he’s on the money most of the time, so you have absolutely no qualms about giving him the ball no matter what the situation is in the game.”

Another fantastic bowling display happened last Saturday when Crindle’s Jamie Doey finished with ten wickets for just 15 runs in their cup win over Killyclooney Seconds.