Spinners in command to help keep unbeaten start to season

Waringstown kept up their 100% start in the Premier League with a fourth win from four outings.
Lee Nelson on his way to 66 for Waringstown.Lee Nelson on his way to 66 for Waringstown.
Lee Nelson on his way to 66 for Waringstown.

Lee Nelson’s side left the field of play on Saturday evening with a 67 run victory over Carrickfergus.

“We have had a hard fought win,’’ said Nelson after the match. “The pitch was not ideal with the original pitch having to be moved on the morning of the match due to the weather so that proved difficult.

“We batted well and to get 220 on a pitch were 150 or 160 would have been about par and we took the game away from them.

“We still had a couple of big wickets to get and we fielded well to get them and took our chances and that’s all you can do really.”

Batting first Waringstown managed 220 for 9 in their 50 overs. Having lost openers James Hall and James McCollum early on Adam Dennison (57) from 72 balls (three fours, two sixes) and captain Nelson (66) 102 balls led the recovery putting on 99 in 22 overs for the third wicket.

Following a slight wobble in the middle order which saw the home side reduced to 117 for 5 on a bowler friendly pitch valuable contributions from David Dawson (26) and Kyle McCallan (25) saw the home side post 220 for 9 from 50 overs.

In the Carrickfergus reply early wickets from Phil Eaglestone (2 for 32) reduced the visitors to 21-2. Then Jamie Holmes (39) and professional Pat Botha (35) took their side to 78 for 2.

Following that it was attack by spin from the home side. Although not picking up a wicket Gary Kidd bowled eight overs for just 16 runs.

Then the trio of Kyle McCallan (2 for 31), Greg Thompson (3 for 18) and James Hall (3 for 28) picked up the last eight wickets to fall as the visitors were all out for 153.

Nelson concluded, “The season so far could not have gone any better really. We are still in all five competitions and have a strong squad and to date I’m very pleased.”

Following the heavy overnight rain Waringstown’s quarter final trip to Strabane on Sunday was binned and a bowl out would take place over the phone.

So at 1.00pm the players took to the astro-turf strip with the rain still coming down.

Strabane hit with their first three attempts with just Cobus Pienaar hitting for Waringstown. Strabane missed with their fourth attempt and Gary Kidd hit for Waringstown. Then the Co Tyrone side missed again and up stepped James Hall to hit for his side to take the tie into sudden death.

Both sides missed with their first attempts and Strabane missed again so it was left to Waringstown professional Pienaar to smash the stumps and send his side into the semi-final draw were they will meet Ardmore away this Sunday, July 3 at 1pm.