Battling Lisburn eliminated from the Irish Cup

The match was affected by heavy rain just before the scheduled start time of 12.30pm and did not get under way until almost two hours later and was reduced to a 40 over encounter.

The day was also dominated by a gale force wind but Lisburn captain Davey Simpson chose to bat first on an unaffected wicket.

He opted to open the innings with his brother Richard and the pair set off at a good pace striking the loose ball with some purpose.

Davey Simpson in particular was keen to keep the scoreboard ticking over with some fine shots and the brothers added 58 for the first wicket in just 13 overs giving Lisburn a better start than in recent matches.

Unfortunately, Davey Simpson mistimed a drive and was caught at mid-on for a very attractive 37 off only 37 deliveries.

Robert Rankin replaced Simpson and also looked positive but he too did not get hold of a lofted drive and was out for 10 in the 17th over with the Lisburn tally on 73.

Number four for Lisburn was professional Darryl Brown and he continued the aggressive approach with the stubborn Richard Simpson adding 24 for the 3rd wicket before Simpson also was caught for a patient 37 in 25 overs having formed the base of the Lisburn innings.

He was dismissed with the score on 97 for 3 leaving Brown to take up the chief striking role with 15 overs remaining.

He did not waste any time during his time at the crease, hitting four boundaries and two sixes in a very entertaining innings of 65 off just 61 balls before his partnership with Glen Halliday was broken in the 39th over having added 95 precious runs in one of the most pleasing stands of the season.

Darryl was eventually caught and a few balls later Glen Halliday was stumped for a very good 41 off just 48 balls proving his undoubted talent.

It was left to Richard McConkey to strike his only delivery for six giving Lisburn the more than competitive final score of 207 for 5 in the allotted 40 overs.

Alex Cowden and the dangerous Winston Norwood set off a quick pace in reply and soon were scoring with some ease off all the Lisburn bowlers who were having trouble with the wind which could have been instrumental in bowling a large number of wide balls thus giving Civil Service some unearned runs in the opening stand of 162.

At last in the 30th over, Cowden was caught behind the wicket by Neil Kilpatrick for 48 off the bowling of Davey Simpson but the visitors were still very well placed needing just 46 off the final 10 overs.

However, Lisburn struck again with the prize wicket of Norwood. He was caught and bowled by Darryl Brown for a superb 85.

He had struck the Lisburn attack for six sixes and four boundaries in his 86 balls at the wicket and in effect won the game for his team.

Jan van de Merwe lasted just a few deliveries before he was caught by Aaron McKeown for a ‘duck’ and suddenly Lisburn had a brief chance of a shock victory.

However, CSNI settled their innings through their professional Amjad and the talented Getkate who knocked off the remaining runs without little difficulty.

It did take the pair until the 38th over to complete the 7 wicket win having to face a dogged Lisburn team which battled right to the last ball much to their credit.

This was a much more determined performance by Lisburn who now must face a ‘crunch’ match next Saturday; they travel to Ballymena in what could well be a relegation battle.

Davey Simpson will be pleased with his team’s fighting qualities last Saturday against CSNI and will be hoping for more of the same at Eaton Park.

Thanks must go to Stanley Doak and family for their kind sponsorship of last Saturday’s match in the Park.

Scorecard;

Lisburn innings;

R.Simpson ct van de Merwe b Amjad 37

D.Simpson ct Getkate b Adair 37

R.Rankin ct Cowden b Adair 10

D.Brown ct Cowden b Getkate 65

G.Halliday st Cowden b Adair 41

G.Browne not out 8

R.McConkey not out 6

Extras 3

Total 207 for 5 in 40 overs.

Fallof wkts 1-58 2-73 3-97 4-192 5-201

CSNI Bowling A.Coulter 5-0-26-0 J.Costain 5-0-27-0 R.Adair 8-1-51-3 M.Amjad 8-0-27-1 J van de Merwe 8-0-34-0 S.Getkate 6-0-41-1

CSNI innings;

W.Norwood ct and b Brown 85

A.Cowden ct Kilpatrick b D.Simpson 48

J van de Merwe ct McKeown b McConkey 0

M.Amjad not out 36

S.Getkate not out 12

Extras 30

Total 210 for 3 in 37.4 overs

Fallof wkts 1-162 2-162 3-163

Lisburn bowling D.Simpson 8-0-36-1 R.McConkey 6.4-1-46-1 D.Brown 7-0-39-1 C.Atkinson 6-0-41-0 A.McKeown 8-0-24-0 G.Browne 2-0-19-0

Result- CSNI won by 7 wickets.