Larne Cricket Club

On Saturday 20th June, Larne Second XI, defeated Dunmurry II's by 5 wickets in the Quarter Final of the Intermediate Cup. The match ball was kindly donated by Cecil Alexander.

With a hard pitch and short boundaries on 3 sides of the ground Dunmurry's skipper had no hesitation in giving his batsmen first use of the conditions and both opening batsmen cashed in as Larne started poorly. After arriving quite late it seemed that Larne were not focussed at the start of the match and the bowling and especially the fielding were well below the standard Larne have set in recent seasons. Fortunately the change bowlers Paddy Heggarty and Dean Hodge found their line and length immediately and from a run rate of nearly 6 an over they managed to stem the flow of runs and restrict Dunmurry to a total of 80 at the drinks break.

Hodge claimed the only wicket in this period with a good catch from Higginson at mid off. Both bowlers conceded less than 25 runs in their 10 over spells and effectively kept Larne in the contest. With wickets in hand Larne knew it would be hard to keep the score below 200 but off-spinners Baxter and Anderson bowled beautifully in tandom to keep the scoring in check. Anderson had well deserved figures of 2 for 23 in his 10 over spell and although Baxter went for a few more runs, he was protecting the shorter boundaries, and was unlucky not to get a wicket as the Dunmurry batsmen felt he was the pick of the Larne bowlers. With wickets in hand it was a thankless task bowling the last 5 overs but McIlhenny and Hamill stepped up to the mark and shared 3 wickets as Dunmurry posted a decent total of 197. Although disappointed at how they had started the game Larne had fought back well and knew that with a powerful batting line-up 200 was well within their sights.

Hodge and Leitch opened the batting for Larne and they didn't get the start they were looking for, when Hodge was clean bowled in the 5 th over. However the in form Alan McKee started in his usual aggressive manner and with Leitch matching him at the other end the score board really started to tick over as the pair put on 70 for the second wicket in only 12 overs. Leitch was dismissed for 33, being caught on the long off boundary after mis-timing a lofted drive, but McKee continued to go for his shots as Baxter joined him to play the supporting role. At drinks Larne were well in control at 112 for 2. Unfortunately as so often happens there was a wicket on the re-start when Baxter was bowled by a good delivery from the young Dunmurry leg-spinner.

Higginson joined McKee and again sensibly rotated the strike as McKee played his shots. With only 60 runs required and over 20 overs remaining a dispirited Dunmurry side were given a lifeline when Higginson was carelessly run-out from a mis-field and a tired McKee was caught at point for an excellent 72. Veteran Anderson and young Ryan Hamill were given the task of steadying the ship and both responded superbly; solid in defence and punishing anything loose. Neither gave a chance as they passed the total in the 41 st over. Hamill was undefeated on 32 with Anderson on 28no.

For the next 3 weeks its back to League duties at Sandy Bay but a semi-final against Carrick will approach quickly on the 17 th July and Larne will need to their standards in the field if they are to make their first final appearance since 1998.