Needing 18 runs off the last three overs, the later order could not grab an unexpected win even after the professional, Gerry Strydom had again slayed the North Down attack for a brilliant 115. However he holed out at deep mid on as Lisburn entered the home straight.
Gerry should not be expected to carry the team every innings but he was sorely missed when it came down to the crunch as Lisburn chased the under par score of 215 to take the league points.

Indeed, the Lisburn bowling attack was again impressive in restricting North Down to 215 on their hard dry wicket. They grabbed the first three wickets for just 56 and it took a stand of 61 between Timor Khan and Peter Shield to put North Down back in the game. Earlier, Greg Thompson had taken the wickets of Montgomery and Sutherland while Graham had the honour of becoming Gerry Strydom's first scalp.
Shield was caught by Strydom for 21 of Uel Graham and when Marty Moreland was well caught by 15 year old Callum Atkinson, North Down had slumped to 140 for 5 in the 38th over.
Not for the first time, Robin Haire rescued his team in the last overs with a score of 35 and Paul Connell slammed a quick 13 to give North Down a tally of 215 for 6 having scored 54 off the last five overs.
Greg Thompson put in a superb 10 over spell, taking 2 for 19 while Gerry Strydom had 1 for 27 off his quota of 10 overs. Neil McDowell, 2 for 50 and Uel Graham, 1 for 54 were the other wicket takers in a sustained bowling effort.

Lisburn cloud only have been satisfied with the 216 chase and they were even more happy when Gery Strydom and David Simpson added 114 for the first wicket at more than a run a ball. Both batsmen found the pitch to their liking with Strydom stroking the ball to the boundary with effortless ease and Simpson also playing some great shots.
North Down had tried most of their bowlers before they claimed their break through, they had David Simpson caught at mid on and when Greg Thompson was bowled for a duck, they were well back in the game. Lisburn had reached 120 for 2 at this stage and they needed another stand of come consequence to keep ahead of the game.
Lisburn's number four, Uel Graham was just the player to support Strydom and between them they added a further 53 runs and looked like being favourites as the game entered it's final stage.
However, Graham after a fine 30 was caught by Robin Haire off the bowling off his son Andrew and the pressure was mounting on the Lisburn professional. He had struck the ball beautifully throughout the afternoon and was very unlucky to be caught at long on for a superb 115 in the 46th over. With 18 runs required off the final three overs,
Lisburn fell short. Neil McDowell survived a blow on the helmet for his troubles before being bowled and the task proved too much for the remaining pair, Graeme Browne and skipper Trevor McKeown and they needed a four off the last ball to win. McKeown could only manage a single as Lisburn were left, agonisingly three runs adrift after a great effort and nearly upsetting the form book.

ON Saturday Lisburn travel to Rush for the first round of the Irish Cup and they will face a strong home side. The change of rule which permits professionals to play in the competition will suit Lisburn and Gerry Strydom will be very keen to keep his run of form going. He has already scored 273 runs in just three visits to the crease.
The following day they entertain Brigade in the first round of the Turf Cup in the Wallace Park, the game is a 40 over affair and should provide players and supporters with some good cricket. The visitors have a fine pedigree in the North West and have a good record in 40 over cricket and Lisburn will be more than tested during the afternoon.