Successful week for Cloney's Seconds

Following on from the previous Saturdays victory against Cliftonville they picked up a further two wins in the week, all under the captaincy of stand in skipper Richie Clydesdale.

In the mid-week game at home to Laurelvale the village team restricted their opponents to 148 on the first night. The home attack which included a mixture of youth and experience bowled consistently and wickets were shared between the bowlers.

Jonny Stevenson, Brian Lyttle and Alan Thompson were the main contributors in the demise of the Laurelvale innings.

In reply Donaghcloney chased the target down with the loss of only six wickets. Brian Lyttle again in the thick of the action with 35 while the dependable Clydesdale posted 17 runs.

At one stage the match was in the balance at 106-6 but Jonny Stevenson along with Colin Derby added the required runs to notch up a vital victory both finishing undefeated on 20.

On Saturday past Donaghcloney Seconds hosted Larne and again put in an accomplished display to claim victory.

Batting first Richie Clydesdale notched up 19, before a wobble saw Cloney struggle to 66-5 at the 20 over mark. Brian Lyttle along with Gareth Copeland then built a partnership to turn the match on its head.

From struggling the pair put the village team in a commanding position passing the 200 mark. Copeland fell for a superb 66, Willie Fisher then added 19 before Lyttle was bowled in the final over for a belligerent 95.

With the Cloney posting 239 they took the field after the break with confidence of securing their third win in a week.

They were not disappointed as the bowling attack shared the spoils between them. In all Richie used three U15 bowlers on the day; Alan Thompson, Shane Warren and Richard Lyttle each claiming wickets.

The remainder of the wickets were distributed throughout the more experienced bowlers of Brian and Steven Lyttle, Willie Fisher and Stuart Copeland as the visitors were dismissed for 166, giving a 73 run winning margin.

Richie Clydesdale was delight by the display under his temporary tenure. "It will be nice for Raymie to come back with spirits high in the camp, and points on the board," he said.

"At times both games were in the balance but when required we dug in and big performances were produced, by both the youth players and experienced auld heads."