Cricket Report Monday 22nd May
By Ballyclare High School on 22 May, 2023
In the third block of Saturday morning McCullough Cup fixtures, Ballyclare High faced RBAI, last year’s winners of the competition. With the 1st X1 match cancelled, four matches were played, with RBAI winning all four but Ballyclare also producing some strong individual and team performances.
The Under 15 team enjoyed the opportunity of playing on a grass wicket on the main square at Osborne Park. Against a strong batting line-up, the bowlers and fielders stuck to their task well as RBAI reached 133 for 7. Ryan Kerr took four wickets for 35 runs. In reply Ballyclare batted their full allocation of overs to reach 65 for 9. Nathan Lynas played a patient and skilful innings of 16 and Harry Thompson scored two excellent boundaries in a quick innings of 11.
The Under 14s were involved in the most closely-contested match, batting first and posting an impressive 106 for 6. Austin Adair scored 22 and Jack Morrow added 20. A good bowling effort ensured that RBAI only scored the winning runs in the penultimate over. An improvement in fielding will be required as the season progresses.
For the Under 13s Krish Shukla took 3 for 14, Jakob Donnelly 2 for 26 and Sam Leetch 2 for 17 as RBAI made 134 for 6. If a number of missed opportunities in the field had been taken, RBAI may have been restricted to a significantly lower score. Once again, Jacob Donnelly was the leading scorer in the Ballyclare innings with 21* while Daniel Jenkins added more valuable runs with 17. A total of 75 for 4 was considered a good effort in reply against a strong side.
The Under 12 lost by 45 runs in an entertaining game full of energy and excitement. Noah Thompson, Scott Robson and Daniel Gerrish each took one wicket as RBAI scored 125 for 3. Ballyclare replied with 80 for 6 wickets, with 48 extras and a top score of 12 not out from Conor McKee.
Earlier in the week, the Under 13 X1 played their Cup game against a strong Campbell College side at Hollinger Park, which was in excellent condition for the match. Ballyclare batted first and managed to score 69 for 4 off their allocation of 20 overs. The batsmen looked relatively untroubled through most of the innings but struggled to accumulate runs consistently. Team captain Jacob Donnelly led by example, finishing on 29 not out. Campbell successfully chased their target of 70 runs, to win by 8 wickets. Jacob Donnelly took 2 for 16 off 3 overs.
After the completion of the school examinations the Under 14 side will face Lurgan Junior High in their cup competition while the other sides will all contest the Plate competitions for teams who lost their first game in the main cup
