Cricket Report Monday 5th June
By Ballyclare High School on 5 June, 2023
In the latest round of McCullough Cup matches, Ballyclare High faced Belfast Royal Academy. Although not in contention to make the final play-off, the Ballyclare players were keen to conclude the group stages of this important competition with some impressive performances.
Hollinger Park was again in immaculate condition as the Under 15s hosted BRA. Ballyclare batted first and made a steady start reaching 37 after 10 overs without losing a wicket. The second half of the innings showed a great increase in the run-rate as the batsmen added a further 81 runs off the remaining ten overs. Promoted to open the batting Ryan Dodds was the highest scorer with 30, while Nathan Lynas hit four fours and one six in his unbeaten innings of 28. Team captain Jude contributed 20. Defending a total of 118, Ballyclare took regular wickets, but at least three dropped catches and frequent wides proved costly, BRA winning by 2 wickets with only eight deliveries to spare. Jude Wilson returned the best bowling figures of 3 for 20, while Evan Carlisle, Lea Matthews and Nathan Lynas also bowled their full allocation of four overs.
The 1st X1 lost their game and the Under 13 side recorded a comfortable win but details of these matches are not available. The Under 14 match with BRA was postponed and will be fulfilled next Thursday.
Earlier in the week, the Under 14 team faced a potentially difficult game away to Lurgan Junior High in their cup competition. After Lurgan posted a healthy total of 161 for 5, the challenge looked even greater. However, a fine batting performance resulted in Ballyclare achieving an excellent win. Jack Smyth scored 37, Jack Morrow added 36 and Austin Adair made 35, before Daniel Montgomery hit the winning six to complete a very impressive run chase. The team will now enjoy home advantage at the quarter final stage against opponents still to be determined.
The Under 15s hosted Friends’ School Lisburn at Hollinger Park in a repeat of an earlier fixture which Ballyclare had won. Choosing to field first, Ballyclare took quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 63 for 5. The opportunity to take control of the game was missed as the Friends’ lower-order batsmen made steady progress and recovered to 104 for 7. Ballyclare’s reply was particularly disappointing, apart from a positive innings from Nathan Lynas who made 26. One of the Friends’ bowlers took five wickets for only three runs as the home side collapsed to 49 all out.
The Under 13 side travelled to Antrim Grammar school in their Plate competition and made 119 for 5, batting first. Joshua Nesbitt scored 27 and Seth Scarlett added 20 not out. Isaac Wilson was the most successful bowler with 4 wickets for only three runs conceded. Sam Leetch and Jacob Donnelly both took 2 wickets for 2 runs, while Krish Shukla and Harry Webb both took one wicket.
The Saturday morning McCullough Cup programme has now been completed but, with several teams still involved in their knock-out competitions, there is still lots of cricket to look forward to in the remainder of the summer term.
