Derriaghy men maintain winning league form

Derriaghy maintained their winning league form on Saturday with a comprehensive 7 wicket victory over Woodvale at Queensway.
Kaushik Aphale batting for Derriaghy. US1524-534cd  Picture: Cliff DonaldsonKaushik Aphale batting for Derriaghy. US1524-534cd  Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Kaushik Aphale batting for Derriaghy. US1524-534cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Captain Craig Lewis again proved to be the tormentor in chief with his second 5 for of the season along with 27 not out.

Woodvale won the toss and batted first but the home side bowlers did a superb job, skittling them for 125.

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Lewis bowled brilliantly as he combined genuine pace with substantial seam movement and he was rewarded with 5-43 from his 10 overs. He was ably supported by Robert Cumins 3 for 18 and Scott Hughes 2 for 18.

There was also some outstanding catches held, most noteably by the skipper diving full length at long off R Bailey (2), M Stinson and J Cardosi also held unto difficult chances.

In reply Derriaghy coasted to their target inside 30 overs for the loss of just 3 wickets as Kaushik Aphale scored 63 not out and Lewis 27 not out.

This was the club’s fifth consecutive win and sees them sitting at the top of the table although Muckamore will most likely overtake them when they play their three games in hand.

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In mid week in the Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Derriaghy chased down 180 against Bangor to reach the semi finals. It was again Craig Lewis who played a leading role hammering 66 in quick time and along with K Aphale 74 (including 30 in 1 over) seeing their side to a 4 wicket win. Earlier Aphale with 3 and Lewis with 2 were among the wicket takers.

It’s another double header for Lewis and his team this weekend with first up a trip to Templepatrick in the league followed by the journey to Rush in north Dublin for a tie in the quarter final of the Irish National Cup.

Rush are currently sitting mid table in the Leinster division 2 league and will be a formidable opponents for the only remaining NCU side in the competition. The game is due to start at 12.30pm on Sunday.

While the First XI were busy in league action last week the Seconds recorded a tremendous 8 wicket win over Carrick at Middle Road to reach the semi final of the Intermediate Cup. Having already tasted defeat twice to their opponents in league action the victory was even more sweeter.

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The hosts batted first and Derriaghy bowled superbly to restrict them to 175 all out. Captain Davy Scott took three wickets for 29 runs while there were two apiece for Stuart Hegarty, Reece Malone and Simon Gilmore.

In reply Derriaghy coasted to 179 for 2 as Scott and Matty Ballantyne recorded unbeaten half centuries after Stephen Cairnduff had given Derriaghy a blistering start. They now face Downpatrick at home in the semi finals.

This week they are in league action at home to Ballymena.

Unfortunately the 4s could not make it a clean sweep for the club going down by 5 wickets at CIYMS.

The club Under 11 side did, however, enjoy success in the Quoile Cup with a quarter final win over CSNI at Queensway.

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The visitors batted first and totalled 87 in their 20 overs. Harry Johnston, Ben Kenny and Ben White picked up 2 wickets each while Matthew Halliday got 1 and T Benson was wicket less but the most pleasing aspect was that none of the 5 bowlers used conceded more than 16 runs.

The home side timed their reply perfectly with Todd Benson setting the pace hitting a solid 36 while, Kenny (18 no) White (13) and Halliday (10no) provided vital support in a 7 wicket win. They now travel to the winners of Waringstown/Muckamore tie in the semi final.

On Wednesday July 1 the club host an Inter Provincial Under 13 tie between NCU and North West. The 40 over a side game is due to start at 12 noon and all support is welcome.