At the weekend Larne second XI, who are sponsored by The Kiln, returned to winning ways with two victories over Downpatrick and Derriaghy.

On Saturday Larne skipper, Gary Moore, won the toss (after the start to the match was delayed by an hour due to the non-arrival of one of the Downpatrick cars) and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first in perfect conditions for cricket - fast outfield, beautiful pitch and some sunshine overhead. Making his debut for the seconds was Shah Ali Murad and he opened the batting with Steven Gorman. Gorman looked out of sorts and was bowled for 14 but Murad played very confidently and was unlucky to play the ball on to the stumps via his foot when he had scored 24.

This brought Brian Spence in to join Alan McKee at the wicket and this pair made the Downpatrick bowlers toil in the hot weather. Spence was content to play second fiddle to McKee as the latter dispatched any loose bowling served up to the boundary. Together these two added 97 runs for the fourth wicket during which McKee passed 50 for the first time for Larne. The partnership was broken when Spence was caught in the covers for 25 followed soon afterwards by McKee for 73 runs that included ten fours.

With the score on 160 for 4 and 11 overs to go there would be no let up for the toiling Downpatrick bowlers as Wylie McKinty and Gary Moore upped the tempo. McKinty in particular played a little cameo of and innings as he compiled 29 runs that included 6 fours to all parts of the ground. Moore too played his part in scoring 16 runs in no time. When both were dismissed with 2 overs to go Steve McDonald then helped himself to 11 runs off 4 balls including 2 consecutive fours and after 50 overs Larne had finished in 224 for 7.

With the conditions still perfect for cricket the Larne players knew that it would take a better bowling performance than last weeks game to ensure victory. Cheered on by injured players Tony Anderson and Paddy Hegarty along with club stalwart Tom Ramsay the players took to the field after tea. Steve McDonald claimed the early breakthroughs when he picked up two wickets to leave Downpatrick struggling on 10 for 2. Johnnie McElhinney opened from the other end but despite beating the bat constantly he couldn't find the edge of the bat.

From this position Downpatrick recovered very well as the shine went off the ball. J. McCready and J. Tormey put together a sensible 3rd wicket partnership with McCready treating the spectators to two massive sixes over mid wicket. Just as it looked like Larne could be in trouble young Eddie Hunter came up trumps as he dismissed both batsmen in successive overs, McCready for 49 and Tormey for 44. From this position of 100 for 4 Larne were now in control and despite some more sensible batting from P. Thompson (29) and D. Cousins (28no), Larne were always in control as the run rate required increased.

Of the last 4 wickets to fall Gary Moore took 3 catches and helped in the run out of the last batsman to dismiss Downpatrick for 183 runs and thus Larne had won by 41 runs. Steve McDonald finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 18 off 10 overs. So a feast of runs for the spectators at Sandy Bay on Saturday with McKee's innings the highlight of the day.

Scoreboard :-

Larne : 224 - 7 (S. Murad 24, A. McKee 73, B. Spence 25, W. McKinty 29)

Downpatrick : 183 all out (J. McCready 49, J. Tormey 44, S. McDonald 3-18)

Larne won by 41 runs.