Donacloney v Larne - Saturday 24th April 2004 |
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On Saturday 24 April, Larne Second XI, sponsored by The Kiln, beat Donacloney II by 7 wickets in League Division 2 Section 2. On a beautiful day for cricket, Larne travelled to newly promoted Donacloney looking for a win, to launch the 2004 season. Early signs were good when Larne’s skipper, Gary Moore, won the toss and with an excellent bowling attack at his disposal was able to ask Donacloney to bat.
Next week Larne travel to relegated Harlequins on Saturday followed by another away game at Derriaghy on May Day. Doncloney 100 all out (P. Hegarty 4-35, E. Hunter 2-25, S McDonald 2-9, D. Stanton 1-20, K. McKinley 1-11) |
Stephen McDonald and Eddie Hunter shared the new ball, and Donacloney’s nerves were quickly exposed when McDonald clean bowled one of the openers with the second ball of the match. Understandably Donacloney then simply looked to avoid further wickets as both Larne bowlers gave them no room to play any shots. After 10 overs, to try to force another breakthrough, Larne’s skipper introduced the experienced Paddy Hegarty and vice captain Darren Stanton. In his third over Hegarty removed the other opener, along with the number 4 batsman. Stanton joined in with his first wicket of the season when McDonald took an excellent catch at long-on, while Hegarty took his third and fourth wickets in successive overs before the drinks break. At this stage Larne were confident of victory and it was a matter of closing out the innings as quickly as possible. Veteran Kenny McKinley was brought on to tie up runs from one end with McDonald and Hunter given bursts to clean up the tail. Although Donacloney did put up some further resistance they were all out for 100 with McKinley and McDonald taking a wicket each and young Hunter picking up 2.
When chasing a low score, quick runs at the start of the chase can easily take the game away from the opposition, and with Tony Anderson opening the batting, quick runs are virtually guaranteed. With Eddie Hunter as his opening partner, Anderson launched the innings in typical style and Larne passed the 30 mark after only 6 overs. Hunter looked the part alongside Anderson mixing solid defence with some quality back foot shots when the bowling dropped short. Anderson was first to go for 19 when he was well caught at mid-wicket off another forcing shot. This brought young Ryan Hamill to the crease. In what was Ryan’s first game for Larne, his nerves were apparent and he was adjudged LBW before he really had got settled. Hunter quickly followed for 25, clean bowled with a swinging yorker. With Larne still 50 runs from victory, Graeme Leitch and Kenny McKinley knew they had to solidify the innings and get back to basics. Neither batsman was troubled in any way with McKinley taking the supporting role, quite content to rotate the strike, and allow Leitch to play a few shots. Although he managed to lose one ball in a field as he towered a six over mid-wicket, Leitch played well within myself to finish on 26no, with McKinley on 14no as Larne crossed the finishing line.