Gordon Scott
Another good weekend for Carrickfergus as they closed in on the title with two comfortable wins at Middle Road – the Co. Antrim side have all but ensured their return to Premier League cricket in 2015. They are guaranteed at least a share of the Section 1 trophy but victory in their final match this Saturday at home over relegation threatened Cliftonville will clinch their fourth trophy of the season outright; a loss gives Woodvale a chance to share it with a win over Downpatrick.
On Saturday the champions elect hardly broke sweat in a 10 wicket defeat of already relegated Dundrum who totalled only 39 in a very uneven contest. The following day Downpatrick were the visitors but Ian Parkhill’s side gained revenge for their recent defeat at Strangford Road with an easy 8 wicket win. Anthony Martin took 3-41 in Downpatrick’s modest total of 112 and Kiwi Jamie Holmes top scored with an unbeaten 65 as Carrick cruised to victory.
The two main challengers Lurgan and Woodvale clashed at Pollock Park and both took advantage of a superb batting surface in a high scoring affair. The Belfast side came out on top with Chris Campbell completing his second century with 120 in an impressive total of 289. In reply the home side threatening to overhaul their target with Bruce Topping (48), Peter Haire (46) and Niranjan Godbole (40) to the fore but they were eventually dismissed for 225 with Timmy Browne taking 4-61. With 44 points and a game to play Woodvale can still share the title should Carrick fail to win their final match this weekend – an exciting finish is in prospect.
In Saturday’s other games Holywood gave themselves a chance of survival in the Section with a gutsy win at Queensway where they chased down Derriaghy’s 163 – Craig Lewis top scored with 88 – for the loss of 6 wickets with Philip McCormick best with a crucial undefeated 52. With their programme completed Holywood have 28 points – level with Cliftonville who have 2 games to play.
Bangor completed their season with a reverse at Uprichard Park at the hands of Downpatrick who lost only 3 wickets in pursuit of the home side’s 236 with Amit Patil (108no) and Jordan Wade (53no) clinching victory.
Finally on Sunday in a rearranged game Templepatrick were comfortable winners over Derriaghy at Queensway when their 191-6 in 20 overs with Bob Homani not out on 89 was too good for the home side who managed 95 with Robert Smith taking 4-29.
NEXT FIXTURES
Saturday 13th September
Bangor v Downpatrick
Carrickfergus v Dundrum
Derriaghy v Holywood
Lurgan v Woodvale
Sunday 14th September
Cliftonville v Templepatrick [at Pollock Park (Lurgan)]
P W T L NR/V Pts NRR
Carrickfergus 17 12 0 5 0 48 1.4138
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Woodvale 17 11 0 6 0 44 0.6091
Lurgan 18 11 0 7 0 44 0.4369
Templepatrick 17 10 0 7 0 40 0.4671
Downpatrick 17 10 0 7 0 40 0.1031
Bangor 18 9 0 9 0 36 0.4769
Derriaghy 18 9 0 9 0 36 0.2655
Cliftonville 16 7 0 9 0 28 -0.0806
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Holywood 18 7 0 11 0 28 -0.2768
Dundrum 18 1 0 17 0 4 -2.6707 R