Victory for Seconds as weather hits cricket

Play was delayed over three hours by consistent heavy showers and the players from both sides should be congratulated for making any action possible in a highly entertaining 30 overs match.

The home side batted first and were indebted to a 73 run partnership for the sixth wicket between Alistair Frazer and Fergus Taylor for their competitive final total of 151 for nine.

Frazer, in his first 2nd XI appearance of the season, struck six boundaries in his 51, while Taylor hammered one brilliant six over extra cover in his valuable 28. The pair came together at 55 for five and proceeded to score 73 runs from the next 50 balls.

William Montgomery (21) was the only other batsman to spend any real time at the crease and the final total was always going to prove testing for the visitors to match.

Lisburn started steadily but thanks to excellent knocks from Halliday (51), McConkey (21) and McDowell (19) they were on course for victory requiring 33 off the final five overs with six wickets in hand.

That equation was down to 26 from four when Halliday was brilliantly run out by Taylor's accurate throw from deep square leg attempting a second and when McDowell was cleverly run out by Gordon in the next, the game swung in the home side's favour.

Gordon's fifth over was a treble wicket maiden (two run-outs) and Lisburn's tail order couldn't handle the pressure as Gordon bowled last man Berry when ten runs were still needed for vistory off the final five balls.

A super win for the Seconds who are now sitting safely in mid table with six wins from 12 starts.

FOURTHS’ CUP REPRIEVE

Ballymena Fourths had no game this week after last week’s loss on the pitch in the Cup match against a strong Holywood 3s by 1 wicket off the last ball.

However, it came to light that Holywood had played an ineligible player and were dismissed from the competition by the NCU.

Ballymena were awarded the match and now meet Academy Thirds in the final at Newforge on August 22.

This week it is back to league action at Eaton Park against Downpatrick.

The Fourthss are currently two points ahead of nearest rivals Muckamore with a game in hand. An exciting end to the season for the Braidmen is assured in both the league and cup!