Weekend of mixed fortunes for Derriaghy Cricket Club

Away to Templepatrick on Saturday the home side batted first and racked up 202 for 8 with Craig Lewis picking up 3 for 46 from 10 overs and Matty Jennings 2 for 32 from 10.

The visitors reply was again based around their star Indian player Alfie Aphale. In another innings of quality he stroked his way to 95 not out and by doing so got his side over the line for a 3 wicket win.

Alfie shared in useful partnerships with Matty Ballantyne 33, and C Lewis 21. With 12 required of the final 3 overs and only 3 wickets remaining Stephen Cairnduff hit 2 boundaries to ease the pressure and ensure victory.

Derriaghy were away on Sunday again, this time against Carrick and as with the previous day the home side batted first. On a small ground with lighting outfield and a number of players on form the 253 for 6 that Carrick hit was seen as about ‘par’. Eagleson, Parkhill and Kami their Indian pro all hit 50 plus while Wayne Hughes and Alfie each collected 2 wickets. It was however, Mark Stinson with 1 for 32 from his 8 overs that impressed skipper Jennings most.

Chasing around 5 an over Derriaghy knew that a lot would depend on Alfie and once again he produced the goods hitting a superb 117 - sharing in a 4th wicket stand of 90 with Andy Kenny (30) and a 5th wicket partnership of 52 with Peter Bell (27). When Alfie was 5th out just 42 were need in 10 overs, however, the Carrick bowlers and in particular Eagleson keep runs to a minimum and as wickets fell Derriaghy were shot out in the last over 15 short of victory. A disappointing result but none the less an entertaining match for the large crowd.

This Saturday Derriaghy are away to Holywood in the league while next Tuesday evening they travel to Bangor for a T20 Trophy semi final match.

While The First XI were beating Templepatrick the Second XI were producing an outstanding performance against a strong Laurelvale II team to reach the semi finals of the Intermediate Cup. With only 10 players, due to a late cry-off, Derriaghy chased down 228 thanks in large to Colin Crookshanks magnificent 95 not out and a 50 from David Scott to win by 2 wickets with 4 overs to spare. They now travel to North Down Thirds in 3 weeks time with high hopes of getting to the final. This week they are at home to Ballymena.

Derriaghy Thirds meanwhile also won on Saturday in the league beating N Down fourths by 6 wickets. M Nelson and J McDowell each collected 2 wickets as N Down were dismissed for exactly 100. Nelson then hit 30 not out and new comer K McAullay 15 not out to see their side to victory.

Next week Under 13 player Reece Malone travels to Dublin as part of the NCU inter pro squad for 3 games and everyone at the club wishes him well in the 4 team championship.