Lisburn are back on track with a fine double

Lisburn recorded a fine double over the weekend when they first defeated lowly Muckamore in the Park by six wickets and then excelled themselves with a 36 run win over Civil Service/ North at Stormont to take them up the Premier League table.
Lisburn players congratulate bowler Richard McConkey after Muckamore batsman Barry Scott is caught out, at Wallace Park. US1427-516cd Picture: Cliff DonaldsonLisburn players congratulate bowler Richard McConkey after Muckamore batsman Barry Scott is caught out, at Wallace Park. US1427-516cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson
Lisburn players congratulate bowler Richard McConkey after Muckamore batsman Barry Scott is caught out, at Wallace Park. US1427-516cd Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Saturday’s game proved to be their easiest win of the season with bottom placed Muckamore managing a poor total of 96 on a fine day and a good Wallace Park wicket.

Their innings began disastrously when the visitors lost their first four wickets for just 25 runs. Richard McConkey continued his good form with the ball taking the wickets of Scott and Fisher while Darryl Brown, playing with an injured knee supplied the other two wickets of Brattan and Magowan reducing Muckamore to 25 for 4 in 12 overs.

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McConkey claimed his third scalp when he had Baguley well caught by Stephen Allen, his third good catch of the innings and James Magowan chipped in with the wicket of Micken leaving Muckamore badly struggling on 30 for 6 and the best of their batting back in the pavilion.

Trevor McKeown, President of Lisburn Cricket Club (right), welcomes Andy Groves to the Park for Saturday's game against Muckamore. Andy was representing Aiken Kennedy Financial Planning, who were generously sponsoring the game.Trevor McKeown, President of Lisburn Cricket Club (right), welcomes Andy Groves to the Park for Saturday's game against Muckamore. Andy was representing Aiken Kennedy Financial Planning, who were generously sponsoring the game.
Trevor McKeown, President of Lisburn Cricket Club (right), welcomes Andy Groves to the Park for Saturday's game against Muckamore. Andy was representing Aiken Kennedy Financial Planning, who were generously sponsoring the game.

Keates and Gill steadied the ship with a stand of 49 with Keates doing some timely striking to try to rescue his team. His partner Gill departed in the 27th over having scored a stubborn 7, bowled by Carl Williams and when Keates himself was caught and bowled by Craig Ervine for a top score of 39, Muckamore were fortunate to reach 96 all out in the 39th over.

Again, Richard McConkey was the cream of the Lisburn bowling with 3 for 19 while Darryl Brown took 2 for 11. Carl Williams contributed with 2 for 8 while James Magowan had 1 for 18 and Craig Ervine 2 for 18 as the Lisburn attack proved much too much for the Muckamore line up.

Chasing just 97 to claim the vital league points, Lisburn gave themselves a shock losing two wickets while scoring only 4 runs and it took a determined stand between Craig Ervine and captain Davey Simpson to settle the innings. The pair added 49 for the 3rd wicket taking Lisburn to relative safety at 53 for 3 when Ervine mistimed a pull shot and was caught for a very valuable 14.

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Davey Simpson continued his fine form with the bat, striking a series of well times shots adding a further 41 with Adam Berry and taking them to the brink of victory before Berry was bowled playing a rash shot for 11 the next ball was cut through the covers for four and Lisburn had won their second league match of the season by the comfortable margin of 6 wickets with almost 25 overs to spare.

The Lisburn skipper led the way with 51 not out in 69 balls and had to be relieved to come out on top in a ‘must win’ encounter.