Templepatrick go joint-top after back-to-back wins

After thrashing Dundrum on Saturday, Richard Greer’s lads fought a rearguard action against Bangor that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on Sunday.

The end result was that Carrick, Cliftonville, Lurgan and Templepatrick all have 24 points in a highly-competitive division.

After dismissing bottom-of-the-table Dundrum for only 89 in 33 overs, Templepatrick strolled to a massive nine-wickets win at The Cloughan on Saturday. Robert Smith was supreme with his off-spinners, taking 3 for 29, with support from Philip Kernaghan 2 for 14, Jordi Fettis 2 for 19, Ross Bryans 1 for 22 and 16-year-old Jack Magee, 1 for 4.

The run-out was by Kernaghan whose return from the boundary to Smith at the bowler’s end left the batsman a yard short.

It took Templepatrick only 16 overs to polish off a winning 90 for 1, losing only James Jackson for 16 in the process.

Jay Hunter continued his excellent form with the bat, his 62 not-out including 7 fours, while Richard Greer stayed with him for an unbeaten 7 at the end.

“It was one of the earliest finishes I can recall,” said skipper Greer. “It was all over at 3:15 pm, leaving most of our batsmen frustrated at not getting time at the crease.”

There was a thrilling climax to Sunday’s home with Bangor as Philip Kernaghan’s late burst stole the points when all seemed lost.

Bangor had posted 244 for 9 in their 50 overs, and in reply with only two wickets standing Templepatrick needed another 62 to win. Enter Kernaghan who hit seven fours and a six in a cavalier innings of 42 not-out to get the locals over the line on 246 for 8.

Prior to Kernaghan’s heroics, Bob Homani 74, James Jackson 42, Jordi Fettis 19 and Chris Busby 16 not-out had kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Earlier Bangor’s overseas player, Samunderu, dominated their innings with a superb knock of 152 that ruined some of the bowling averages.

Smith again was tops with 4 for 37, with support from Kernaghan 2 for 25, Bryans 1 for 45 and Fettis 1 for 45, while Greer caused the run-out with a neat return to wicketkeeper Homani.

“This was one we didn’t deserve to win,” conceded Greer. “We seemed doomed when we lost Bob Homani at 183 for 8, but it was one of our best wins ever and it lifted us in to pole position for the first time since we gained Section 1 status,” he added.

The Templepatrick lads will be spending the holiday weekend on tour in Northamptonshire and their next league fixture will be against Holywood on July 19.