Gordon Scott
Without doubt Carrickfergus were the team of the weekend, following up their crucial win over fellow title challengers Lurgan with a tremendous success in the final of the RSA National Cup.
On Saturday at Middle Road the visitors total of 151 with Stephen Chambers top scoring with 30 and Anthony Martin taking 4-36 proved a tough target as the home side took 47.1 overs to clinch victory largely thanks to Indrajeet Kamtekar ‘s 54no and the consistent Jamie Holmes with 42.
Carrickfergus would appear to be favourites with 40 points from 14 games played with Lurgan having 44 points from 16 played hoping for a slip up.
At the other end of the table Holywood and Cliftonville both with 24 points from 15 matches played are in danger of joining Dundrum in Section 2 next season. Cliftonville put up a gallant performance at Queensway where in reply to the home side’s 325-7 in which Kaushik Aphale starred with 138 and Aaron Kinnen made 65no Brian Anderson’s side totalled 287 with Avadhoot Dandekar 78 and Aden Howe 63 best.
Holywood also suffered a defeat at the hands of Bangor at Uprichard Park in a rain affected game with the home side indebted to their professional Kuda Samunderu’s outstanding 6-16 in the visitors total of 79. The D/L target of 75 was attained largely due to Nicky McCollum’s 32.
Dundrum finally landed their first win of the campaign with a 59 run success over neighbours Downpatrick at Strangford Road. The visitors totalled 169 with Amit Patil taking 6-36 but were in control when Downpatrick batted with Gavin McNerlin completing a fine all round performance of 35 runs and 3-30 and the home side being bowled out for110.
Finally Woodvale secured a narrow 8 run win over Templepatrick at Ballygomartin Road to virtually secure their Section 1 place in 2015. In a total of 204-9 the home side were indebted to the consistent Jonathan Burnside (69) and Mark Irwin with 38. In reply Jordan Carlisle was best with 54 in a total of 196 with Paul Robinson once again on the mark with 5-34.
Three matches were played on Sunday with Lurgan regaining top spot with a crushing 10 wicket win over Holywood at Seapark. In their 20 overs the home side mustered 101-9 with the evergreen Paul Stafford weighing in with 3-11. In reply the Co. Armagh side’s openers saw them home with Stephen Chambers making 55no and Stephen Johnston 43no.
Also in 20/20 mode were Templepatrick and Downpatrick and it was the former who came out on top by 43 runs.
Derriaghy completed a good weekend with a win over Bangor at Uprichard Park where Kaushik Aphale was again in the runs with an unbeaten 82 and Andrew Kenny made 55no as the visitors cruised past Bangor’s total of 185-8 for the loss of only 3 wickets. Home professional Kuda Samunderu made 70.
NEXT FIXTURES
Saturday 30th August
Derriaghy v Templepatrick
Downpatrick v Carrickfergus
Dundrum v Cliftonville
Lurgan v Bangor
Woodvale v Holywood
Sunday 31st August
Dundrum v Woodvale
Templepatrick v Holywood
P W T L NR/V Pts NRR
Lurgan 16 11 0 5 0 44 0.87
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Carrickfergus 14 10 0 4 0 40 1.03
Derriaghy 16 9 0 7 0 36 0.39
Downpatrick 14 8 0 6 0 32 0.48
Templepatrick 15 8 0 7 0 32 0.24
Bangor 16 8 0 8 0 32 0.19
Woodvale 14 8 0 6 0 32 -0.38
Cliftonville 15 6 0 9 0 24 -0.10
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Holywood 15 6 0 9 0 24 -0.10
Dundrum 15 1 0 14 0 4 -2.42 R