Despite the rain’s best efforts to spoil the day, cricket was the real winner at The Lawn on Sunday.
First up was the LVS T20 Trophy final between local rivals Donacloney Mill and Lurgan with both teams making the very short trip to The Lawn. Lurgan claimed local bragging rights as they won by 6 wickets.
Highlights
- Lurgan skipper Stephen Johnston won the toss and elected to bowl first in what was a gloomy morning. Donacloney Mill struggled to score freely due to the tight Lurgan bowling and fielding, summarised by an excellent diving catch at backward point by John Guy to remove Shane Warren for 0 off the 6th ball of the innings.
- A 85-runs partnership between Craig Kennedy and Atish Varape helped the score along but after Craig Kennedy was run out on 48 and Atish Varape dismissed for 37, only Aaron Kennedy made it into double figures with 29.
- Callum Grieve was the stand out Lurgan bowler claiming 3-16 with 1 wicket each for Reghard Els, Darwish Nazari and Peter Maxwell.
- In the 2nd innings, Lurgan got off to the worst possible start as captain Johnston was caught on 0. The dangerous Johnny Hunter (20) and Reghard Els (8) were also dismissed but the experienced Stephen Chambers and Callum Grieve dug in and formed a partnership of 53 to cement the run chase.
- Stephen Chambers remained on 48 not out as Jack Maxwell hit the winning four to crown Lurgan LVS T20 Trophy Winners.
Onto the LVS T20 Cup final between Lisburn and Waringstown in what was a very close game that went down to the last over.
Highlights
- Lisburn skipper Neil Whitworth won the all-important toss and elected to bowl first as the threat of rain loomed over the Roy Harrison Pavilion. the decision to bowl first was warranted after Josh Manley dismissed Adam Dennison off the first ball of the game.
- Morgan Topping top-scored for Waringstown with 40 as Lisburn chipped away taking wickets at important times. Callum Atkinson took 2 in 2 as he removed Greg Thompson caught brilliantly on the boundary by James Hunter and then Bilawal Bhatti caught and bowled for a golden duck.
- Josh Manley finished with excellent figures of 3-23, Ryan Macbeth 2-18, Callum Atkinson 2-21, Neil Whitworth 2-33 and Nigel Jones 1-19.
- Lisburn were set a total of 128 to win and started well with a couple of early boundaries by Jonny Waite. Waringstown took key wickets but the experienced Faiz Fazal set the tone scoring 58 and was involved in a 65-runs partnership with Neil Whitworth.
- Bilawal Bhatti bowled well to take 3-23 with 1 wicket each for Josh Froggatt, Greg Thompson and Adam Dennison who removed dangerman Fazal.
- With 4 balls to spare, Glenn Halliday hit the winning runs with a four through square leg much to the appreciation of his Lisburn team mates. Lisburn won by 3 wickets and are new LVS T20 Cup champions.
A massive thank you to everyone at @WaringstownCC for their hospitality and hard work in the build up right through to the end, we really value the effort put in to make the finals day smooth and enjoyable.
Thank you to all 4 teams for putting on a spectacle and we wish you all the best for the rest of the season.