On Saturday 9 August, Larne Second XI, sponsored by The Kiln, defeated Laurelvale by 85 runs in League Division 2 Section 2.

On a hot and humid day Larne’s skipper was glad to win the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Laurelvale’s opening bowlers bowled with accuracy and some pace, however, the Sandy Bay wicket was a delight to bat on and Larne soon had 50 on the scoreboard. Although both openers were out relatively quickly, Stephen Hamilton and Brian Spence continued their good form of the previous weekend with a 100 run stand for the third wicket.

A tiring Hamilton was finally out for 62, with Spence falling shortly afterwards for 46. Johnny Baxter and Daryl Service then proceeded to pick up the pace against a jaded bowling attack, with Baxter, who looked in great touch, helping himself to 44 runs in no time at all before being given out to what may well have been a bump ball.

As the overs started to run out Daryl took up the mantle of chief run scorer as he and skipper Moore added 27 in only 3 overs, Daryl finishing unbeaten on 29 despite batting with damage to his knee ligaments. A final total of 235 certainly justifying the decision to bat first.

The Larne new ball partnership of McElhenny and McDonald bowled superbly at the start of Laurelvales reply and soon had them reeling at 17 for 3, McDonald in particular bowling with venom and real accuracy.

At this point Larne were right on top of their game in the field, highlighted by Baxter’s catch at second slip, however, Laurelvales no. 3 bat, Denver Pearson still felt there was game to be played and as the drinks break approached he had taken Laurelvale to 81 without further loss, with his individual score already over 60. By this point Neil Service and Paddy Hegarty had replaced the opening bowlers but were making little progress when Pearson mis-timed a drive off Service and was caught in the covers by McDonald, much to the relief of his Larne team-mates.

The rest of the Laurelvale batting offered some resistance but wickets fell steadily and they fell well short of the target all out for 150. Neil Service finished with 4 for 42.

Summary:-

Larne II 235-5 (S. Hamilton 62, B. Spence 46, J. Baxter 44, D. Service 29*)
Laurelvale II 150 (D. Pearson 61, S. McDonald 2-16, N. Service 4-42)
Larne won by 85 runs.

Next week Larne travel to Downpatrick for a top of the table clash, which could play a major role in deciding the destiny of the League title.