Gordon Scott
Early indications that the League would be a well contested affair were confirmed last weekend and, with six of the 10 teams having lost 2 games, there is all to play for in the coming weeks.
Leaders Woodvale’s visit to The Cloughan ended in a crushing defeat when the home side, led by in-form batsmen Jay Hunter (97no) and Bob Homani (83no) in an excellent stand of 187, totalled 243-2. The visitors, in reply, were dismissed for 133 with Robert Smith taking 4-17 giving Ricky Greer’s side victory by 110 runs.
Lurgan joined Woodvale at the summit with a hard fought win at Pollock Park over Carrickfergus by 61 runs. The home side were dismissed for 144 with Stephen Johnston top scoring with 48 and Ryan Eagleson taking 3-20. Tight bowling by Niranjan Godbole (4-13) and the evergreen John Guy (3-13) restricted the visitors to a disappointing 88 all out – only Eagleson with 24 made an impact.
Spare a thought for Cliftonville stalwart Neil Cahill whose 133 was a career best against Derriaghy at Queensway in a final total of 258-7 with Colin Lewis taking 3-40 for the home side. Lewis also starred with the bat making 90 as Matthew Jennings’s side cruised to victory by 7 wickets. Home professional Kaushik Aphale contributed a stylish unbeaten 112 in a match highlighted by a multitude of “sixes”- over 20 big ones were recorded!!
In the local derby at the Meadow the visitors claimed the bragging rights for now with a comfortable 7 wicket victory. Dundrum’s total of 128 with Gavin McNerlin top scoring on 42 and Downpatrick bowlers John Wheeler (3-16) and Daniel Carson (3-10) dominant was little trouble for the visitors with Amit Patel (41) and Ricky Gill (26no) leading the way.
Bangor completed a memorable weekend with 2 wins – on Saturday they comfortably defeated Holywood at Seapark when the home side’s 174 (Mandar Dhumke 77) was easy pickings for Kuda Samunderu (79no) and Nicky McCollum (79) in a 9 wicket victory. McCollum continued where he left off on Sunday against Dundrum with 100 in a massive total of 402-7 at Uprichard Park with Evan Fraser (97) and Johnny Parker (54) lending good support. Not surprisingly the visitors fell short in reply with only Andrew Bassett (75) making a major contribution in a final total of 167 leaving Ricky McLarnon’s men victorious by 235 runs.
NEXT FIXTURES – SATURDAY 7th JUNE
21st June
Bangor v Lurgan
Carrickfergus v Downpatrick
Cliftonville v Dundrum
Holywood v Woodvale
Templepatrick v Derriaghy
22nd June
Dundrum v Templepatrick
24th/25th June
Derriaghy v Dundrum
P W T L NR/V Pts Lurgan 6 4 0 2 0 16 Woodvale 6 4 0 2 0 16 Cliftonville 5 3 0 2 0 12 Derriaghy 5 3 0 2 0 12 Downpatrick 5 3 0 2 0 12 Bangor 6 3 0 3 0 12 Templepatrick 4 2 0 2 0 8 Carrickfergus 5 2 0 3 0 8 Holywood 4 1 0 3 0 4 Dundrum 4 0 0 4 0 0