Saturday 10th May 2003 saw Larne make their debut in Section 2 of the Ulster Bank League with a trip to Shaw’s Bridge to face Cooke Collegians but, despite some encouraging signs, the Curran Court sponsored team fell to a 6 wicket defeat.

The toss was won by the home skipper who wasted little time in putting Larne in to bat on a bowler friendly strip. Larne’s batting failed to fire against some accurate bowling and only Steven Hamilton of the top 6 made any impression on the scoreboard. He looked in fine form but was unlucky to be dismissed when he lost his balance and was stumped off a wide.

From a disastrous position of 44-6 the innings was somewhat rescued, firstly by skipper Jonathan Craig and Graeme Leitch and later by Robert McClean. For the 2nd time in a week Craig and Leitch had to rebuild an innings and both knuckled down to stem the flow of wickets. They combined some watchful defence with some powerful strokes and Leitch was just beginning to cut loose when he was adjudged LBW for 15. This brought McClean to the middle and he again showed his all round abilities as he helped steer Larne to a total of 129, with Craig contributing 29 and McClean 28 n.o.

Larne knew that a special effort would be needed in the field to defend such a small total and made a positive start as the new ball pairing of McClean and Craig put the opening batsmen under intense pressure. McClean was the first to benefit thanks to a razor sharp catch at gully by Conrad Du Toit and Craig soon followed this up when he bowled the other opener to leave Cooke Collegians on 25-2.

Spin was then introduced at both ends in the form of Du Toit and Gareth Gaw and again this pair were excellent as the kept the pressure on the batsmen. Gaw was awarded an LBW decision to remove the No 4 batsman but the game was changed when the main batsman Irwin was given not out to an LBW appeal which all the Larne fielders were convinced should have been given.

From here the game escaped Larne as Irwin went on the finish 65 no but the effort remained high and it was the 45th over before their total was passed. It was a mystery how Du Toit finished wicketless from his 10 overs, while McClean and Craig both returned later on to complete impressive spells. Craig was rewarded with another wicket but it was ultimately the lack of runs on the board which cost Larne any chance of victory.

This Saturday sees the renewal of an old East Antrim rivalry as Larne travel down the coast to face a very strong Carrick team.

Saturdays match ball was kindly sponsored by Tom "all the way" Ramsay.

Latest news:- 1sts match against Carrick has been called off due to the selection of Ryan Eagleson in the NCU Regional Challenge team.