Success for Muckamore CC as they got in early to beat the weather and win the Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy.
To quote Ally McCalmont the Public Announcer for the LVS T20 Finals Day “The weather was nice at 11 am this morning”, and so it was. In the first game of the day between Muckamore and Ballymena, Muckamore captain Neil Gill won the toss and decided to field first to take advantage of the earlier start time conditions. Some missed fielding chances and destructive batting from the Ballymena opening batsmen moved Ballymena onto 87 before the first wicket fell with Glen Adams hitting 60 and John Glass with 43. Muckamore managed to restrict the batting side and take wickets at key points in the innings and Ballymena finished on 148-7 from their 20 with Sathish Suresh being the pick of the Muckamore bowling attack with 3-30.
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Ballymena’s John Glass in action during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
The Muckamore opening duo of Kyllin Vardhan and Ewan Wilson got the chase off to a flyer scoring 46 off 4.3 overs before Vardhan was expertly caught in the deep by Jamie Watt off the bowling of Owen Dick. Ewan Wilson departed 6 balls later for a well-made 27 but a 90-run partnership between Ben Calitz (56*) and Luke Allen (30) meant that Muckamore were very much in control of the game and won comfortably by 7 wickets. Congratulations to Ben Calitz for his POTM performance and to Muckamore for winning the LVS T20 Trophy. Commiserations must go to Ballymena and to their captain John Glass who was complimentary of the Muckamore performance during his post-match interview.
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Muckamore’s Benjamin Calitz celebrates his fifty during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Muckamore’s Luke Allen in action during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Unfortunately, the rain came during the awards presentation and was on for the day meaning that the LVS T20 Cup Final due to start at 3 pm between Waringstown and CIYMS was abandoned and will be rescheduled for a suitable date. With Cricket Ireland needing an NCU representative for the all-Ireland T20 competition, a bowl-out was had and CIYMS won 1-0 thanks to a hit from Tyron Koen.
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Waringstown v CIYMS – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Cup Final
CI’s Tyron Koen was the only bowler to hit the stumps during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Waringstown v CIYMS – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Cup Final
Waringstown’s players shelter from the downpour before the bowl-out commences during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Thank you to Waringstown CC for hosting today and ensuring there was a lovely pitch prepared despite the recent rain and for providing a bbq and livestream of the game. Thanks to all of the supporters who were there and hopefully enjoyed themselves as best they could before the rain interfered.
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Muckamore’s team during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Ballymena’s team during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Muckamore’s Benjamin Calitz receives his Player of the Match award from LVS MD Tommy Anderson during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Muckamore’s Neil Gill and Ballymena’s John Glass after today’s toss during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Muckamore’s Neil Gill receives the LVS T20 Trophy from NCU President Brian Walsh during today’s game at The Lawn, Waringstown. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 30-7-23
Muckamore v Ballymena – Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy Final
Muckamore’s Neil Gill and Ballymena’s John Glass with Gareth Morrison and Brian Alexander. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press