Fifth successive defeat for Ballymena cricketers

Steve Lazars was once again Ballymena's best performer in Saturday's defeat by Instonians.

Not for the first time this season, it was a case of Steve Lazars starring with the bat to help Ballymena to a total which was respectable but ultimately not high enough to trouble a strong opposition batting line-up.

Ballymena captain Simon McDowell chose to bat first, but against an accurate seam attack runs were scarce. After 13 overs the score was 24 with both Michael Taylor (6) and Jack Gibson (5) back in the pavilion.

Derek Lynch and Yogesh Takawale took the score to 66 at drinks but then both were dismissed for 23 by slow left-arm spinner Zac Rushe – Lynch was caught and bowled and Takawale was caught off a mistimed sweep shot.

Tied down by Instonians’ slow bowlers, the Eaton Park side limped along to 104 for 5 after 40 overs. Then the innings was given real impetus by another fine knock from Steve Lazars.

Fergus Taylor (11) batted sensibly in a partnership of 48 with the diminutive Lazars, who eventually finished on 84 not out off only 68 balls – a top-class innings which contained eight fours and 3 sixes. Lazars has now scored 310 runs this season at an average of 62 – an outstanding performance for a middle-order batsman in a struggling team.

Chasing a target of 174, the Instonians openers started positively and by the time Michael Glass had Neil Russell (28) caught by Michael Taylor, they had scored 40 in 8 overs. This meant that they were always up with the required run-rate and this took the pressure off Eric Layard and their professional Wasim, who were able to push the ball around without taking undue risks as they put on 72 in 22 overs. The home side did eventually manage to dismiss both Layard (57) and Wasim (30) when Jack Gibson, who had been selected primarily as an opening batsman, came on as an eighth bowler and bowled at a lively pace to pick up two wickets for only 10 runs in an encouraging 4-over spell. By that time, however, the outcome was a formality and Ireland players Andy White and James Shannon were able to coast to a 7-wicket victory in the 47th over.