Templepatrick edged out by Carrick

After being put in at The Cloughan, the hosts were skittled out for only 108 in 46 overs, but their bowlers almost got them out of jail before the Carrick lads struggled to reach 109 for 7 in the 47th over.

Except for a partnership of 56 between Bob Homani (31) and James Jackson (19), the home batting line-up was rather brittle, but the bowlers fared much better.

Jordi Fettis was the most successful bowler with 2 for 26 off ten, with support from Rhydian Davies 2 for off three, Phil Kernaghan 1 for 6 off three, Homani 1 for 18 off ten and Chris Busby 1 for 24 off ten.

“The first half let us down, when another 30 or 40 runs would probably have got a win, but the second half was much better, even without Robert Smith,” stated skipper, Richard Greer.

With Dundrum already relegated this result leaves Templepatrick involved with five other teams, all locked on 24 points, in a battle to avoid the remaining relegation spot.

Andy McCrea’s 2nd XI lost their Junior League Section 2 clash with Civil Service North II by six runs.

Needing 18 runs off the final two overs, Owen Hutchinson hit a six, leaving 12 required off the final over, but they managed only six.

After winning the toss McCrea opted to bowl, and the hosts posted 172 in 33 of their allotted 35 overs. Michael Stewart was tops in the bowling department with 3 for 40, followed by Andy McCalmont (2 for 15), Jason McAuley (2 for 25) and Hutchinson (2 for 30).

McAuley, in his first season with Templepatrick following a switch from Carrick, top-scored with his maiden half century, but the best partnership of the afternoon was one of 35 between McCrea (32) and Peter Shepherd (19).

The result leaves Templepatrick in the bottom half of the table, but they will be aiming to improve their position with home and away matches with Lurgan II this week.

Weekend fixtures: 1st XI v Bangor, away (Saturday) and Cliftonville away (Sunday); 2nd XI v Lurgan II, home; 3rd XI v Academy IV, home.