Larne Cricket Club

Larne Cricket Club’s Fifth eleven entertained Templepatrick IV’s at Sandy Bay last Sunday. This was their last match in the NCU Divison 3 Section 5 and was their first home league match this season. It was also a landmark day for two of the Club’s young cricketers. Christopher Dempsey and Richard Hood made their senior debuts for the Club, and the skill and enthusiasm they displayed augers well for future years.

Templepatrick won the toss and elected to bowl on what was a very slow wicket. The recent heavy rain and the length of the grass in the outfield made scoring runs difficult and it soon became apparent that it would be a low scoring game. Larne openers Esler Burke and Johnny Graham made a very good start and after 5 overs had moved the score to 20, scoring steadily at 4 runs per over.

Unfortunately Burke was soon outdone by a ball that did not bounce at all, and this brought veteran Wylie McKinty to the crease. Inconsistent bounce was to be a major feature of the day with batsmen struggling to judge how the ball would behave. McKinty however took this in his stride and soon played a range of excellent scoring shots often not getting the runs he deserved given the state of the outfield. Graham continued to score steadily at the other end although by this stage the Templepatrick bowling attack had found a consistent line and length, making scoring much more difficult.

Graham was the next batsman to go for 25, a score that proved to be the highest of the Larne innings. Wicket-keeper and left-hander Craig Smith joined McKinty at the crease and the two experienced batsmen moved the scoreboard on steadily. However this proved to be the home teams best period, as they were soon to suffer the fate of a mid-innings collapse. The score went from 45 for 2 after 17 overs to 87 for 7 after 30 overs. McKinty and Smith were out for 18 and 15 respectively with John Hood, Frank Parkinson, and David McIlwaine not significantly bothering the scorers.

A late innings revival courtesy of Cameron Ruys, who scored 12 not out, moved the core towards 100. However, Ruys was to run out of partners with Stephen Morton and debutants Dempsey and Hood all being bowled by the accurate Templepatrick attack. Unfortunately three-figures proved elusive as the home team were all out for 95 leaving the visitors with a very achievable target.

 It’s true that cricketers enjoy the mid-innings tea and the teams were very grateful to Jean Parkinson who laid out a lovely tea for all the players. Following the interval, the match resumed in lovely warm late summer sunshine. Frank Parkinson, who has been a tremendous example and inspiration to the Fifths all season, opened the bowling and he soon found his usual consistent line and length that made scoring difficult.

The Templepatrick openers were riding their luck hitting the ball in the air just short or wide of the fielders. Some very difficult chances were put to ground and the Larne team soon realised this wasn’t going to be their day. A downpour of rain after 10 overs made bowling and fielding much more difficult as summer gave way to autumn, then winter in the one afternoon. This was a reminder of the poor weather we have endured this summer – here’s hoping for better weather next year! As has happened so often this season one of the oppositions opening batsmen, after having been given a ‘life’ by the fielders, has gone on to make the key difference between the teams.

Templepatrick opener, Smith, skied one or two shots early on and escaped, going on to score 71 not out. At the other end, Cameron Ruys continued to be involved in the game with a fine spell of bowling. This young cricketer has made a great contribution to the Fifths this season and was very unfortunate only to take one wicket in his 4 over spell. David McIlwaine, Stephen Morton, Christopher Dempsey and Richard Hood all tried hard to remove Smith but he was not to be outdone and batted through the innings to see his side safely home with 10 overs to spare.

Overall the Fifth’s have enjoyed a very positive first season. Captain John Hood would like to express his thanks to all who have played for the Fifths throughout the season. In particular the experience of Esler Burke, Jimmy Hunter, Frank Parkinson and Craig Smith has been invaluable and it has been tremendous for Larne Cricket Club to see so many talented young players getting a taste of competitive cricket. Here’s looking forward to next summer when the Fifths will continue to blend youth, experience and enthusiasm, oh and enjoy themselves as well!!