Second league victory for Eaton Park Third XI

Terry McCloskey hoists a six on his way to scoring 56 runs in Ballymena Thirds' weekend victory over CIYMS. Picture: www.harrycook.tv

Ballymena won the toss and batted first and Anthony Frazer and Adam Pogue put on 35 for the first wicket.

Ballymena then lost 4 wickets fairly quickly, reaching the 15 over mark precariously placed at 63 for 4.

Jack Archer and Terry McCloskey put together an excellent partnership of 65 runs to steady the innings.

Both batsmen struck the ball well, Archer hitting one six well over the boundary and McCloskey clearing the rope four times in his innings.

At 128 for 4 with 7 overs left Ballymena looked set for a good total. Unfortunately Archer’s dismissal for 26 brought a second flurry of wickets and slowed the run scoring.

McCloskey began to run out of partners but batted sensibly to make sure the team batted on into the final and 35 over. He hit one final six to lift the score to 146 and was last man out for 56 runs.

Ballymena’s 146 was a moderate total, which would need good bowling to defend.

Ballymena fielded excellently to restrict a useful looking CI batting lineup. McCloskey and Josh Scott bowled tightly to limit CI to 25 for 2 off 10 overs.

The change bowlers Frazer and Dean Reynolds backed this up well, Frazer picking up 4 cheap wickets and Reynolds dismissing CI’s most dangerous looking batsman Heasley.

CI kept aggressively going for runs and approached 100 with victory still possible. McCloskey returned with a third wicket to stall CI’s fightback.Reynolds picked up a second and Declan O’Boyle took the final wicket to leave CI 32 short on 114.

Overall an excellent bowling and fielding display and a top all round performance from Terry McCloskey.

Ballymena approach Saturday’s match against Instonians hoping to make it three league wins from three.