Thirds lose out to Carrick

With both teams agreeing to play 25-overs-per-side Carrick were first in to bat. The Middle Road openers, Evans and Richards raced to 34 runs after five overs as Larne’s Richard Hood and Jithin Kuriakose struggled to stem the flow.

It was Aaron McKinley who made the first breakthrough when, with the score on 70 in the tenth over, he had Evans excellently caught by his dad, Derek, who was fielding at cover.

Jackson came in at three for Carrick but his partnership with Richards was short-lived when David Hayes bowled the latter for 79.

Harrington was dismissed by Aaron McFaul with the score at 149 for three after 19 overs. Carrick’s Adams went next, bowled by Hood for nine. When Graham came in at six for Carrick with just one over left and Carrick finished with 185 for four. But for the performance of Larne fielder Andrew Beatty who threw himself around the field to save a number of runs, it could have been more.

Larne responded scoring 45 off five overs before Jordan McKinley was dismissed for 10, caught by Carrick wicket-keeper off Cassell. Hayes joined Richard Hood at the crease but he went for just one run, bowled by Richards.

Gary Jamison hit some beautiful shots before he was bowled by Burton for nine while Derek McKinley joined proceedings with the score on 77 for three after 10 overs. Hood was next to go unlucky to be out, caught behind, off Burton. He was replaced by his dad John and he and McKinley added another 39 taking Larne to 125 off 18.

When Hood was stumped for 14, Aaron McKinley joined his dad at the crease. The father-and-son partnership was the last hope of Larne securing a victory. But dad Derek went in the 23rd over for an excellent 40, replaced by Aaron McFaul. Larne needed a massive 33 needed off the last two overs and it was just too much to ask. They finished on 165 for seven leaving Carrick with a 20-run victory.

Larne thirds’ next match is away to Holywood on Sunday, July 10. Owen Donnelly Butchers kindly sponsored the match ball.