Dempsey stars in win after three defeats on the spin

Skipper Gareth Gaw called correctly at the toss and elected to bowl first on a very green-looking wicket. The visitors made the ideal start in the third over when Gaw took a catch off the bowling of Jonathan King to dismiss the dangerous Adrain for just 10.

King bowled an excellent opening spell in taking 1-7 off six overs and he was extremely unfortunate not to pick up a couple more wickets. Ken McKinley shared the new ball and also bowled very well but he suffered similar misfortune and somehow remained wicketless in his seven overs.

He was replaced by Chris Dempsey, who couldn’t quite settle but broke the second-wicket partnership when dad Trevor took a catch to dismiss Forsythe for 20. From here, Paul Ramsay and Gaw entered the attack and bowled 20 overs which cost just 43 runs and picked up a wicket each. Ramsay bowled with his usual accuracy and there wasn’t a single loose delivery in his spell of 1-17 while Gaw bowled with good control and variation in his 1-26.

Under 15 player Richard Hood was next into the attack having his first bowl for the First XI, and he didn’t disappoint as he went for just 13 runs in a superbly accurate six-over spell at a time when the batsmen were looking to push the run rate up.

King returned in the latter overs to claim his second wicket, but a late flourish from the home side saw them set a total of 176-5 at the end of their 50 overs.

Larne got off to a bad start with the bat when they lost Gareth Alexander for just seven runs but, from here they were always in control of the game and won by seven wickets with three overs to spare.

Dean McDonagh opened the batting and was striking the ball beautifully before he was bowled for an excellent 37. He had been joined by Chris Dempsey, who played the innings of the day in making 55. He got off the mark with a sweet drive for four, setting the tone for his innings as he played shots all round the ground. He cut and drove the ball superbly through the off-side, as well as launching two massive sixes over midwicket and his innings showed the potential that he has and put Larne in sight of victory. He had the calming influence of dad Trevor at the other end and he and Gaw made sure that there were no more alarms as they took Larne past their target with overs to spare.

Trevor manoeuvred the ball well into the gaps while Chris was in good form and then with victory in sight he and Gaw smashed a few quick boundaries to complete an excellent win.

This weekend, Larne return to Sandy Bay for the first time since May when they entertain Donacloney on Saturday. The match ball was kindly sponsored by Ladybird Nursery.

Dungannon 176-5 (J King 2-36)

Larne 177-3 (C Dempsey 55, D McDonagh 37, T Dempsey 32no, G Gaw 22no).