Town still deep in trouble

Batting first Instonians openers Stevenson and McCann wasted no time in playing themselves in and had reached 83 in 18 overs when the heavens opened and threatened to send everyone home early.

However after a few false restarts, the Instonians innings was reduced to 40 overs under Duckworth Lewis and Stevenson and McCann carried on where they left off, punishing any loose deliveries from the Lurgan bowlers.

After a partnership of 137, at roughly five an over, Nicky McCollum got the breakthrough that Lurgan so badly needed when he had Stevenson caught by Charlie McCrum at deep long off for 64.

McCann was joined at the crease by Shannon and the runs from the Instonians batsmen continued to flow. Shannon had made 38 when he was bowled by Ben McKnight and Peter Maxwell clean bowled Rory McCann for 90 as he tried to play a sweep shot off the Lurgan skipper.

A superb catch by Oliver McCollum removed Irish international Andrew White for 18 and Callum Grieve clean bowled McCurry as the Instonians batsmen went for a big finish. After 40 overs Instonians had scored an impressive 233 for 5 wickets.

A further delay reduced the Lurgan target to 225 in 35 overs. Stephen Johnston set about the Instonians bowling with a flourish until the introduction of Ben Wylie had him caught by Sheard for 33 with the total on 37.

Opening partner Charlie McCrum, who decided to join his home town club prior to the transfer deadline, made 20 when he was given out lbw to Sheard and Francois Viljoen was also a victim of Sheard when he was caught by McCann for 23.

Niranjan Godbole posted another half century but the run rate was always going away from the Lurgan batsmen and after 35 overs the Lurgan score was 152 for eight, leaving them 73 runs short of the D/L target and well adrift at the bottom of the Premiership.