Templepatrick's challenge halted by heavy downpour

When the wet weather forced play to be abandoned at the halfway stage at Rashee Road, the home team had posted 113 in forty-two overs, with the bulk of the runs being scored by James Jackson (33) and Mark Thompson (24).

A heavy downpour during the tea interval ruled out any possibility of a resumption of play, so this Division 1 Section 2 fixture will have to be rearranged.

The 3rd XI fared better a few hundred yards away at Ballyclare High School grounds where they got their Division 2 Section 3 fixture completed.

However it was the visitors, Ballymena IV, who collected the points when they won by two wickets.

Taking first knock Peter Shepherd's lads posted 125 for 8 in their thirty overs, with Jordi Fettis top scoring with 27, followed by Shepherd on 23.

The Braid lads were always up with the scoring rate, but there was a nervy finish before they scrambled the winning run off the final delivery of the afternoon.

James Hall was entrusted with the ball for the final over with Ballymena needing eight to clinch victory. A double off the penultimate delivery levelled the scores, but a single off the last ball sealed the points.

James Hall returned the best bowling figures with 3 for 21, with assistance from Stephen Fettis (2 for 16) and Matthew Darling (1 for 17), plus two run-outs.

Going into the second half of their league programme Templepatrick Thirds are third from bottom, so skipper Shepherd will be looking for improved performances in the weeks ahead in order to climb clear of the relegation zone.

Their next game will be away to Muckamore III on Sunday afternoon, but the seniors and the 2nd XI have no games this weekend.