Robin Walsh
A blistering finish has given Royal Belfast Academical Institution yet another Ulster Bank Ulster Schools Cup – a record ninth success in the 29 years of the competition. They triumphed comfortably in the end with four wickets and three overs to spare over Foyle College in a game that was nip and tuck until the Belfast school’s final flourish.
They needed 74 to win in the last 11 overs and did it within eight thanks in the main to an undefeated 45 by young fourth former Andrew Knape that included five fours and one six. He was ably abetted by Ben Cochrane whose 23 shared in the only half century stand of the match.
Andrew Austin had held the Foyle innings together to put his side in with more than a chance of victory with a total of 164 for 7 in their 35 overs. His 69 included seven boundaries while at the other end just two other players reached double figures – Gareth Connor with a quickfire 22 not out and Hayden Campbell with 14.
The medium pace of Ben McGavock proved the most productive for “Inst” with four for 39 off his six overs – one of the two performances that again proved match winners for the Belfast side.
FOYLE COLLEGE: M Rankin b Magee 2 J Greer c Cochrane b McGavock 7 A Austin b McGavock 69 E Lapsley c Cochrane b McNamara 8 R Long c Cochrane b McNamara 7 H Campbell c Mellor b McGavock 14 G Connor not out 22 R House c Mellor b McGavock 6 A McElhatton not out 2 Extras 27 TOTAL 164 for 7 (35 overs) FoW: 1-4, 2-29, 3-72, 4-103, 5-125, 6-140, 7-149 Bowling: J Magee 4-0-6-1 R Hughes 7-0-19-0 B McGavock 6-0-39-4 J McCabe 7-0-37-0 L McNamara 7-1-33-2 M Mairs 4-0-20-0 RBAI: B Mellor c Long b Connor 4 B McGavock c&b Rankin 15 J McCabe lbw b Long 1 P Dollohan b Rankin 18 A Knape not out 45 L McNamara b Crumley 19 B Cochrane c&b Connor 23 R Lyttle not out 10 Extras 35 TOTAL: 168 for 6 (3l.5 overs) Fow 1-13, 2-30, 3-43, 4-62, 5-91,6/153 Bowling: R Long 7-0-21-1 M Rankin 7-0-28-2 G Connor 6-3-8-2 D McCloskey 5.5-0-48-0 D Crumley 4-0-38-1 H Campbell 2-0-15-0 |
All photos are © Rowland White |
