Muckamore v Larne - Saturday 8th May 2004 |
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Larne Cricket Club 1st XI, who are sponsored by the Curran Court, travelled to Moylena to play Muckamore in a Division 1 Section 2 match on Saturday. Having won their previous three games the Larne players were in fine spirits and hoped to cause an upset against one of the league favourites. However things didn’t go according to plan and it was Muckamore who continues their unbeaten run in the league when they won by 55 runs Larne's skipper, Trevor Dempsey, won the toss and decided to insert the opposition on what looked a soft wicket. The local groundsman had had great trouble preparing the wicket and it seemed the correct decision for the Larne management team at the start of the match. Muckamore’s opening batsmen had other ideas and allied to wayward bowling they posted an opening stand of 50 in just 11 overs. The introduction of Paul Ramsay into the attack produced the first breakthrough as Martin Kane was caught behind by Dempsey much to the bemusement of the batsman. Larne’s next breakthrough didn’t take place until the 20th over when Dempsey picked up his second catch of the day this time off the bowling of Gaw. Gaw almost had the prize wicket of Brian Baguely shortly after when Gareth Alexander took a good catch at mid wicket but the delight of the Larne players turned to despair when the umpire signalled that Gaw had bowled a no-ball. Gaw had his revenge a few overs later when he had Baguley caught at mid off by Graeme Leitch for 23. Brian Dunlop meanwhile had been compiling a vital innings for his team although he did survive an easy catch at mid off that somehow Alexander managed to drop. Dunlop would make 71 and it took a fantastic caught and bowled by Jonathan Craig to see the back of him. In the same over Craig bowled Jason Kane for 26 and in his last over he had Keates caught by Gaw to finish with 3 for 32 in 10 overs. Greg Hill was asked to bowl for the first time this season and although he conceded 40 runs in 7 overs he did pick up the wicket of Simon Thompson and showed potential for the rest of the season. After 50 overs Muckamore had posted an imposing 238 runs. After a somewhat chaotic tea interval Larne’s openers Leitch and Aiston got the Larne reply off to a rousing start as both players were quickly into their stride (Leitch clipped his first ball through mid-wicket for 4). After 9 overs Larne had reached 38 before Leitch was bowled by a good off cutter from Gill. Larne’s South African professional, Douglas Griebenouw, looked to be full of confidence after his Bank Holiday knock of 85 not out but this proved top be undoing as he holed out to long off after scoring only 12. Greg Hill joined Aiston and this pair found the tight bowling hard to get away and at one stage they managed to score 25 runs, all scored in singles before Hill broke the shackles with a square cut for 4. Simon Thompson snared Hill’s wicket courtesy of a caught and bowled to follow up his wicket of Griebenouw and he returned fine figures of 2 for 35 in 10 overs. With the departure of Alan McKee for 2, lbw to Gill, a rescue act was needed by Aiston and the new batsman Craig. Craig played the only way he knows and for half an hour Larne’s batsmen were in the ascendancy with Craig stroking the ball around the park at will. Craig hit four fours and one huge six before he was cruelly lbw to Cardwell for 35 as the ball crept along the ground. Gareth Alexander’s run of poor form continued as he was bowled by Keates and Larne’s hopes of winning this match seeped away as the scoring rate increased steadily. Aiston was finally dismissed in the 35th over for 44 and but for him the Larne total could have been much worse. The 8th wicket partnership of Ian Hill and Trevor Dempsey delayed the inevitable as they put together a partnership of 47 which included a huge six hit by Hill which sailed into the other field. Dempsey (13) and Hill (29) departed in quick succession and last man Paul Ramsay was bowled first ball to wrap up the Larne innings for 183 and leave Muckamore winners by 55 runs. A disappointing day for Larne and some improvements in the field will be necessary this weekend when they travel to Shaws Bridge to take on Section One side Instonians in the second round of the Senior Cup. NOTE: Jonathan Craig, who has been easily Larne’s best player so far this season, has been selected for the NCU Section 2 side that will play against the North West Section 2 team. Congratulations to “Big Reds” on his selection and his call up is just reward for his performances this season. The match takes place at Shaws Bridge on Sunday 23rd May. Match Summary:- |
