After the previous weekend’s washout, the Gallagher Challenge Cup 2024 finally got underway on Saturday with wins for Lurgan, Cregagh, Donacloney Mill and Laurelvale.
The Saturday fixture saw a clash between last year’s Section One winners and runners-up Lurgan and Drumaness Super Kings. Drumaness Super Kings batted first and scored 199-8 from their 50 overs with skipper Neil Gelston top-scoring with 69 runs. Lurgan’s John Guy was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 6-28 dismissing the top 3 DSK batsmen. In the chase, Lurgan eased to victory in the 41st over with the loss of only 1 wicket and the successful chase was largely down to an impressive 147 runs partnership between Johnny Hunter (100*) and Reghard Els (60).
At The Mall, Armagh batted first and posted 131 with Brayden Laing top-scoring with 31 and Cregagh’s Danny Cooper took 3-26 to keep the Armagh total to a minimum. In a rain-affected 2nd innings, Cregagh reached their total in the 29th over after losing 6 wickets, 3 of which were claimed by Matthew Wilson.
Onto The Cloughan where Templepatrick met Laurelvale. Templepatrick batted first and scored 166 with skipper Ross Bryans contributing a well-made 50 to the team total and there were 3 wickets apiece for Michael Burns, Khurshid Subhani and David Sinton. Laurelvale chased down the total in the 37th over with the loss of 5 wickets. Adnan Malik top-scored with 46 runs.
At Banford Green, Belfast posted a total of 155 with number 3 batsman Jaydee Oliver top-scoring with 45* ably supported by wicket-keeper Mohhammad Chaudrhary with 36. Donacloney Mill spinner Andrew Bingham claimed 5 wickets with Ryan Matthews taking 3. In the reply, Donacloney Mill chased down the target in the 22nd over with Overseas player Atish Varape top-scoring with 78* and rightly taking the Gallagher Player of the Match Award.
Round 2 will occur on Saturday 1st June and the much anticipated Premier League teams will enter the mix.
Second Round – 1st June (Reserve date 2nd June)
Cregagh v North Down
CIYMS v Muckamore
CSNI v Ballymena
Derriaghy v Carrickfergus
Instonians v Donacloney Mill
Lurgan v Lisburn
Waringstown v Cliftonville Academy
Woodvale v Laurelvale
Atish Varape and NCU Director Michael Reid
Danny Cooper and NCU Chief Executive Paddy Grimes
Johnny Hunter and NIACUS umpire Brian Alexander
Adnan Malik and NCU President Brian Walsh
