Seconds lose by three wickets

The local side won the toss and, with the weather looking very unsettled, decided to bat first. Darren Stanton and Jonathan Hodge opened the batting against some testing bowling.

Stanton was unable to build on last week’s innings on this occasion, but Hodge had moved smoothly onto 14 when he was unfortunate to get an excellent delivery that nipped back to bowl him through the gate. Timmy Evans and skipper Gary Moore also made it into double figures with Moore just starting to look threatening when a run-out cost him his wicket.

At the 25 over mark, Larne had moved to 85 for four with Ken McKinley joined in the middle, by Michael Waterman. McKinley was in good form and Waterman was using all his knowhow to rotate the strike as Larne progressed to 120. But McKinley then picked up an injury and had to have a runner. The very first ball resulted in another disastrous run-out with McKinley very unluckily removed for a well-made 37.

When Waterman followed for 16, it was up the Larne youngsters to give the bowlers a total to defend. Gary Jamison, with 16 not out and debutant David Fitzimmons, with 10 not out, responded superbly and put on 30 for the final wicket. A final total of 161 would give Larne a chance if they could get some early wickets.

Unfortunately with his calf injury restricting his movement, Larne could not call on the services of regular opening bowler Ken McKinley. In his absence Timmy Evans and Michael Lyle took the new ball and it was Lyle who made the initial breakthrough in the fifth over.

When Stanton replaced Evans, with his off spin, he quickly made further in roads, with an excellent catch by the skipper, off the dangerous Pearson, followed up with a beautiful ball to remove Laurelvale’s third wicket. Lyle was also bowling with great control and when he struck for the second time, Larne were beginning to sense a real opportunity.

The next partnership proved more difficult as Laurelvale edged past the half way total with the scoring was starting to accelerate as Larne struggled for some control. As drinks approached it was an excellent delivery from Stuart Johnson which brought Larne back into the game as he tempted Edgar to attempt one drive too many.

Two wickets from Jonathan Hodge in the first over after drinks, looked to have swung the game back in Larne’s favour as Laurelvale still needed over 50 with only three wickets remaining. Hodge tried his full repertoire of slow left armers but could not make another breakthrough. Luke Brownlee and Timmy Hodge also bowled excellent spells as Larne strived hard to get the wicket that would open up an end, however with Laurelvale well ahead of the run rate they were able to play carefully without taking any undue chances, and Larne could just not force a mistake.