Cricket Report
By Ballyclare High School on 22 April, 2024
After some resourceful planning of fixtures and a magnificent effort to prepare the ground at Hollinger Park, Ballyclare High School managed to host three of the five scheduled McCullough Cup cricket matches against Belfast Royal Academy, despite the recent inclement weather.
The first competitive fixtures of the local cricket season at senior level may have been delayed until the start of May by the Northern Cricket Union, but at Schools’ level the players were keen to get started.
The 1st XI enjoyed an excellent win by two wickets, despite playing without Finn Lutton who was representing the Ireland Under 19 side against Guernsey. Six Ballyclare bowlers were used as BRA were restricted to a modest total of 84 all out. The leading wicket-taker was Austin Adair who returned figures of 3 for 11, while Jack Smyth and Jude Semple both claimed two wickets. Opening bowlers Jacob Scarlett and Evan Carlisle each took one wicket, while Jude Wilson provided valuable support with an economical spell, conceding only 15 runs from his four overs.
Jacob Scarlett was the only Ballyclare batter to reach double figures, scoring an unbeaten 18 runs. However, the concession of wides proved costly for the BRA attack and Ballyclare eventually secured the win by two wickets thanks to the efforts of lower-order batters Matthew McCourt, Nathan Lynas and Lea Matthews, the latter two undefeated as the winning runs were secured.
Ballyclare recorded another encouraging win at Under 12 level, providing the players with an excellent start to their competitive cricket at School. The individual highlights of the team’s seven-wicket success were 31 runs for James McKnight and two wickets for Noah Morton.
The Under 13 team lost by seven wickets to their BRA counterparts. Only Ollie McKee and Gareth Sempey reached double figures as Ballyclare posted 64 all out. BRA reached their target with seven wickets and ten overs to spare, the concession of 22 wides contributing significantly to the visitors’ run chase.
