Firsts race to victory away to Drumaness

Drumaness won the toss and elected to take the first use of what looked to be a true and good batting track.

The home team wasted no time in taking advantage of the short boundaries and lightning quick outfield, as they attacked anything erring in line length from the Donaghcloney new ball attack of Jonny Stevenson and Matthew Lyttle.

Drumaness openers Oldroyd and skipper Deegan seemed at ease as they raced along at five an over as they brought up the fifty partnership in the 10th over. Skipper Keith Martin then turned to Gary Knox in a hope to make a breakthrough and put the brakes on the Drumaness charge.

Knox did not disappoint as he bowled Oldroyd for 22 in his second over to end the first wicket partnership of 64. Neil Carson joined the attack to try and turn the screws but he failed to find the necessary rhythm and Drumaness continued to tick the scoreboard over.

The ineffective Carson was replaced with Stephen Hanna and along with Knox the two spinners took the game by the scruff of the neck. Hanna picked up a wicket immediately thanks to a one handed mid wicket catch by Stevenson, this left the score on 87-2.

Drumaness then seemed to self-implode as Knox claimed his 2nd victim taking a return catch from Deegan to dismiss the opposition skipper for 48. Hanna followed this up by removing the ever-consistent Mills for only 2, and with 2 run outs Drumaness amazingly lost a total of 4 wickets for no runs leaving them struggling 92 for 6.

Hanna grabbed a third to claim 3-14 of 5 overs, while Knox bowled through for miserly figures of 2 for 6 from 10 overs. Under 15 player Alan Thompson entered the fray and claimed his first wicket for the First XI thanks to a boundary catch by Peter Moates. Tim McClure closed the innings with 1 wicket from his only delivery as Drumaness crumbled to 111 all out in the 32nd over.

Both teams relinquished the chance of an early tea as the Cloney side went out looking to wrap up a convincing victory on what they thought was a decent batting track. Skipper Martin opened the innings with Knox as the pair hope to set the platform for a big victory.

The pair was rarely troubled as they punished any loose deliveries and brought up their 50 partnership in only the 10th over, unfortunately Martin was out to a rash shot soon after leaving the score on 52-1.

Knox was joined by the inform Carson and the two batsmen raced to chase down the remaining 60 runs for victory. Carson in particular was in commanding form as he struck the ball around all parts of the ground.

The pair added the required runs in only six further overs. Opener Knox played a support role as he finished unbeaten on 29 while Carson dominated the partnership striking a fierce undefeated 43 including three maximums. Donaghcloney won the match by a margin of nine wickets in only the 16th over.

Skipper Martin was delighted to get another win under the belt. “We are into the habit of gaining victories, although we were a bit slow in our start today we powered through with both bat and ball when it mattered. We have a good mix of youth and experience and hopefully we can maintain the balance and continue the form in the business end of the season.”

Donaghcloney CC would like to thank Maureen Nesbitt for the ball sponsorship for the Drumaness match.