Trevor snuffs outDerriaghy threat

On Saturday Victoria Seconds took on high flying Derriaghy Thirds in a Junior League 6 clash.

Victoria had already beaten the visitors early in the season and were looking to add to that to end a run of 4 defeats. Things started well as Victoria won the toss and elected to bat.

Robert Black and Cameron Lyness put on a steady 36 for the first wicket and looked comfortable until Lyness (10) was unlucky to pick out the fielder when trying to dispatch a loose ball through the off side. Black followed soon after the drinks break for 20, miscuing a poor delivery from the Derriaghy leg spinner. Andrew Gray also added 20 and looked to be getting going before edging behind. Trevor Archer (0), Ben Johnston (3) and Sam Irwin (0) all came and went quickly leaving Stevie Johnston to join Andrew Dawson at the crease. An impressive final over from Andrew Dawson, which included 3 boundaries to leave him not out on 28, left Victoria with a final score of 116 in their 30 overs.

Victoria took to the field with a defendable total and made a solid start as Andrew Gray took two wickets, clean bowled, in the first over and Cameron Lyness took two wickets in the fourth over before adding a third in the sixth to leave the opposition reeling on 20-5.

Victoria had victory in their sights but Derriaghy had other ideas as the sixth wicket partnership began the recovery until it was ended by Trevor Archer who had the Derriaghy batsman caught by Sam Irwin in the covers. Again Derriaghy re-built and looked to be getting the upper hand as Victoria struggled to finish off the tail.

The players then had to come off for rain and the break seemed to favour the home side as they finally made the breakthrough, Stevie Johnston getting a reward for bowling some tight overs, picking up a wicket.

Derriaghy edged closer to overhauling the Victoria total as Trevor Archer removed yet another batter to leave one wicket remaining and nine runs needed.

In his next over and with Derriaghy in touching distance Trevor Archer showed the killer instinct needed to finish off the Derriaghy innings, as his namesake Trevor Marshall took an impressive catch at point to leave the home side victorious.

Victoria secured a much needed win and after some good performances which yielded no return, they finally took the points.

They will now be looking to take this momentum into the second half of the season to take a few wins and climb the table.