Two sixes from Guy put Lurgan top of the table

Woodvale batted first on a soft wicket but with a fast outfield and short boundaries and by the 25 over mark were sitting comfortably on 125 for 2 wickets.

However the second half of the innings belonged to the Lurgan bowlers as the anticipated acceleration by the Woodvale batsmen failed to materialise, and they were eventually bowled out for 233. Callum Grieve and Peter Maxwell were the chief wicket takers for the Town side, Maxwell taking 3 for 24 and Grieve 3 for 32 while Niranjan Godbole had 2 for 31.

The asking rate for victory for the Lurgan batsmen was slightly over 4.5 an over and that was generally how most of the Lurgan innings progressed.

Professional Niranjan Godbole made 54 while Stephen Chambers hit 25 and Stephen Johnston was out just one short of his fifty.

However with wickets falling and the run rate pushing up to 6 an over, it was John Guy who eventually saw the visitors home. With Lurgan needing 11 runs to win off the last over, Guy launched the first two deliveries for 6 to give the Town side a deserved 3 wicket win with Guy finishing on 49 not out.

The win means Lurgan share top spot of the Section 1 table with Cliftonville on 20 points but with a match in hand.

Derriaghy are the visitors to Pollock Park onSaturday where the Town side will be looking to gain revenge for a defeat in the first match of the season.

The ball sponsor for the Lurgan’s game at Woodvale this week was Howard Ingram.