Larne Cricket Club

Larne V's travelled to Muckamore last Wednesday and Thursday night to play a re-arranged NCU Division 3 Section 5 league match against Muckamore IV eleven.  Larne won the toss and captain, John Hood, elected to bowl on what proved to be a good batting wicket with a very dry, fast scoring outfield.

The home team got off to a flying start with the Larne opening bowlers Andrew King and Andrew McGarel struggling to stem the steady flow of runs.  Some fielding errors made matters worse and the home team raced to 47 for 1 after 10 overs.  Opening batsman, G. Surgenor, was scoring freely after being dropped in the first over and he was the innings top-scorer with an excellent 90 not out. 

The runs continued to flow as the Larne bowlers struggled to find their line and length.  Steven Saunderson, Dean McDonagh, Cameron Ruys and the experienced Frank Parkinson all tried hard to keep the run rate down but more disappointing fielding in the very fast outfield did not help their efforts.  At the end of the 40 overs, Muckamore had scored 182 for 7, leaving Larne to chase a score of 183 at just over 4.5 runs per over.

Overnight rain left the outfield much slower on the Thursday night and this made it difficult for the Larne team to keep up with the run rate.  Opening batsmen Craig Smith and Esler Burke kept the scoreboard ticking-over but were only getting 1's and 2's for the same shots that were scoring boundaries on the Wednesday.  Despite this, they were the innings top scorers with 43 and 50 respectively, their partnership only broken when the left-hander Smith holed out to mid-on when trying to score another boundary. 

Useful contributions from Johnny Graham and Simon King added to the score however, Muckamore's bowlers gave very little away and were able to find the right line and length on a consistent basis.  After 30 overs the run rate had crept up to almost 9 an over and, with plenty of wickets in hand, it was clear the Larne team had to take chances.  A quick-fire 22 from Parkinson brought a glimmer of hope but unfortunately wickets began to fall, and it soon became clear that the target would prove elusive. 

Larne finished their 40 overs on 150 for 7 leaving Muckamore the victors by a 32 run margin.  Whilst disappointed to lose, the young Larne fifth eleven is gaining confidence and learning in every game.  They have developed a great team spirit and enthusiasm to work hard for each other and will soon be rewarded with positive results.