Title hopes over as Lisburn's winning streak ends

On a fine afternoon, Lisburn won the toss and batted and the opening pair of Ryan Ervine and Davey Simpson built a solid base with 29 for the first wicket.

Victor Mpitsang, the Waringstown opening bowler, had Ryan Ervine in the 9th over, his pace causing him to edge the ball to the wicket keeper Johnny Bushe. He had scored 19 but Davey Simpson and the in-form Lisburn player, Yasas Tillakaratne continued with a short stand of 19 before Simpson was second out, caught off the off spin of ex Ireland player Kyle McCallan for a hard fought 15.

At 48 for 2, in the 15th over, Greg Thompson joined Tillakaratne and Lisburn were still hopeful for a large target score. However, Thompson totally misjudged McCallan's flighted delivery and was stumped by a large margin for a 'duck'.

Johnny Bell quickly followed, caught at the wicket for 8 and when Yasas Tillakaratne was bowled by Simon Harrison, Lisburn were in real trouble at 64 for 4. Yasas had managed another useful score of 21, his lowest for some time but his presence at the crease has been vital for Lisburn in the last series of games.

Adam Berry was again caught at mid wicket for 7 leaving Lisburn struggling at 7 for 6 in the 28th over. Richard Simpson also went cheaply in the 36th over with the score at 90 for 7 but hope was regained when the stubborn Bruce Topping and number 9, Hennie van de Merwe began a fight back.

The pair took the game to the Waringstown bowlers and struck a series of boundaries; Topping had four to his credit and van de Merwe, 6 in a crucial stand of 54 in just 10 overs playing good sensible cricket. Unfortunately, with the score at 144 Topping was caught for a very good 26 in 57 balls at the crease and only Dereck McCann was able to add a few more runs with the unbeaten van de Merwe giving Lisbur the under par tally of 163. Hennie van de Merwe remained 45 not out in just 49 balls; a great effort on the part of this whole hearted player.

Lisburn's batting had been to say the least, brittle and but for van de Merwe and Topping, they would not have even reached the nearly competitive total of 163.

Waringstown, knowing they required just 3 runs an over to take the vital league points, began slowly with the prolific Kyle McCallan looking 'out of sorts'.

He was dropped before being lbw to Ryan Ervine for 3 and Lisburn had claimed the prize scalp at a very early stage and given themselves a chance.

However, opener Simon Harrison and number three James Hall settled the Waringstown innings with a stand of 33 in 10 overs but Lisburn were thrown another life line when Harrison was out for 20; it left Waringstown at 43 for 2 in the 15th over but badly needing more quick wickets.

Hall and Nelson had no thought of giving away their wicket and looked totally comfortable in adding a vital 87 for the 3rd wicket. Lisburn skipper, Greg Thompson tried many changes of bowling but the pair sailed serenely towards the winning target and it was a surprise when Hall ran himself out for 43 but at that point his team required just 34 with 7 wickets in hand.

Nelson, short of runs this season, made up for it with a fine match winning score of 75 not out, striking Davey Simpson for two sixes and a four to finish off the game in the 42nd over. Waringstown had deservedly won by 7 wickets and are now the only team which can catch North Down if they falter at Stormont next Saturday. Lisburn's great run had come to an end but having lost their first two league encounters, they had come back superbly to claim a very creditable third place.

Again, Lisburn left it to their bowlers to keep them in the hunt but on this occasion they could not produce the goods with such a low target to achieve.

It only remains to play Lurgan this Saturday to finish a highly successful season. Lurgan are already relegated so Lisburn should end their campaign with 14 wins out of 18 league starts, by far the best return they have had in recent seasons.

Ryan Ervine took 1 for 23 off his 8 overs, Greg Thompson, Hennie van de Merwe and Davey Simpson all failed to take a wicket as Waringstown cruised to a more than comfortable 7 wicket victory.