Confidence boost for Derriaghy as they record their second league win

Early morning rain meant the game was reduced to 42 overs and with more rain forecast for later in the day, Derriaghy skipper Craig Lewis had no hesitation in asking the home side to bat first when he won the toss.

The home side made a steady start reaching 46 before Wayne Hughes got the first of his 3 wickets in 5 overs. Along with a silly run out, Carrick slipped to 56 for 4 as Hughes finished with the very respectable figures of 3 for 26 of 9.

A partnership of nearly 100 then developed before Rob Cumins got in on the act taking 3 for 36 as the home side closed on 170 for 7.

It was important that the Queensway men didn’t lose early wickets, while being mindful of the scoring rate required given that rain was likely later on.

Ross Bailey and Adam Jamison played their part perfectly putting on 86 for the first wicket in 26 overs before Adam was caught for a solid 38.

Aphale joined Bailey, and knowing that they needed to be at 101 by the end of the 30th over, got there with a ball to spare and then after another 3 runs in 2 balls off the 31st. The rain arrived in torrents sending players running off the pitch and ending the match.

Bailey’s splendid innings of 51 not out proved to be a match winner when the revised DLS sheet showed Derriaghy were 2 runs ahead of the required total.

After Saturday’s 6 wicket defeat at the hands of Instonians this win will give the side great confidence as they prepare to face Lisburn at Wallace Park on Saturday (11am).

A win here would see them jump into a mid table position and go a long way to ensuring their Premier league survival.

The club Second XI maintained their unbeaten league record, making it 8 out of 8, with a 14 run win away to Templepatrick.

Matty Jennings 51 and Aaron Kinnin 39 were the main contributors to their total of 168 all out.

After several fine performances for the Thirds recently Jamie White made his debut for the 2’s and opened the bowling. Despite not picking up a wicket he performed well conceding just 30 runs in 7 overs.

Scott Hughes collected 2 for 25, Michael Jones 2 for 38 and along with a good spell from Jennings plus 4 run outs the home side eventually finished on 155 for 9.

This weekend sees the Seconds with back to back games against Muckamore – at home on Saturday and away on Sunday.

Derriaghy Thirds won a thrilling rearranged league match against neighbours Lisburn on Thursday evening.

On a splendid pitch at Queensway home captain Micky Fell won the toss and batted first. After the early loss of Bell, Aaron Kinnin and Ross Mulholland added 56 runs before Mulholland departed for 30.

Kinnin then shared in a few useful partnership and hit 3 maximums in his fine knock of 47. Some late order boundaries from Zalar Khan (27 not out) seen the final total up to a very respectable 151 for 7.

Fourteen year old Jamie White opened the bowling for the home side and he produced a superb spell of left arm medium pace bowling conceding just 6 runs from his 4 overs while picking up 2 wickets.

Things were not so quiet at the other end and despite losing a few wickets Lisburn remained in the hunt at the half way stage.

With ex Ireland international Neil Doak batting at number 5 he ensured the run rate remained below 10 going into the final 5 overs.

After thumping two big 6s he was, however, undone by a slower ball from J Bell for 21 and after Atkinson (35) was dismissed Derriaghy regained the upper hand and eventually dismissed the final man with Lisburn 16 runs short of victory.

The Thirds followed this up with a convincing 7 wicket win away to Waringstown IV on Saturday.

Captain and former 1st XI wicketkeeper Micky Fell produced a man of the match performance claiming 3 stumpings and a catch in the home sides total of 73.

He then led from the front when chasing the runs, as rain arrived, hitting 49 not out to see his young side home.

All 5 bowlers used by Derriaghy were under 15 with Zach Benson 3 for 21, Jonny Lynch 2 for 17, Ben Kenny 2 for 4, Ben White 2 for 9 and David Scott 0/14 performing exceptionally well.

This win maintains the Thirds spot at top of Junior League 5.

This week the Thirds are at home to Carrick on Thursday and Bangor on Saturday.

Derriaghy also received word from the NCU during the week that they will host the final of this season’s Intermediate Cup, which involves their own Second XI and Woodvale on the 13th of August.