2nds Reports 2008

Saturday 28th June Cooke Collegians II V Armagh II  
 
 
     Armagh Seconds got back to winning ways on Saturday recording a six wicket win over their Cooke Collegians counterparts in an away tie at Shaw’s Bridge.
     In the mystery absence of Simon Cardwell, reliable stand-in skipper William Carberry lost the toss and Armagh were made to bowl on a wicket that certainly looked to favour the batsmen.
     Armagh started well though with Reggie Stinson getting the breakthrough in the first over. Tight pace bowling from Stinson and Matty Wright was to result in plenty of frustration for the home side and allowed Stinson to claim his second victim in his 6th over.
     Alan Stoops was introduced into the Armagh attack and what a decision it was with a remarkable display of tight seam bowling from the big man. Stoops recorded excellent figures of 6 wickets for a meagre 9 runs from his allocated 10 overs, ripping the heart out of the Collegians middle order. Wright came back into the attack and finished off the tail dismissing home number 11 for a deserved wicket.
     After a gloomy hours delay due to rain, Armagh then set out looking to knock of the 70 runs needed for victory as quickly as possible with more showers looming. The free scoring Joe Thornbury promoted to opening as a result, and hit a quick fire 14 including a massive 6 onto the Outer Ring road. He was dismissed the next delivery after the ball was retrieved and Armagh then lost Phil Doyle first ball with Scowcroft fowling soon after for 8 as the alarm bells began to sound. However, Harry Boyd played a steady innings for 16 before falling with only 20 required for victory. This brought Carberry to the crease firing a quick fire 26 not out ably supported by the veteran Reggie Stinson who helped see Armagh home with 2 not out sealing a comfortable and well deserved win.

Cooke Collegians 69 all out. (A Stoops 6-9, R Stinson 2-15, M Wright 1-12)
Armagh 73 for 4. (W Carberry 26*)

Sunday 1st June Armagh II v Larne II              

On a glorious Sunday on the picture perfect mall Armagh seconds beat Larne by 90 runs.  With the sun high in the sky, Armagh made no hesitation in electing to bat on what was a dry and flat pitch.  The Larne opening bowlers worked hard in the heat to claim the first wicket of the day, Michael Villiers being bowled for 12.  Ryan McCarter with 11, and Mark Stinson with 40, made a very valuable 50 run partnership before both falling with the score on 96.  Joe Thornbury arrived at the crease and within the blink of an eye raced to 39 before being bowled.  Unfortunately wickets tumbled at regular intervals from here on as Armagh ended on a total of 175, with Reggie Stinson on 21 not out at the close of the innings.  The Larne players had worked hard in the heat with King collecting 5 wickets, Baxter and Dempsey 2 apiece.

As Armagh took the field for the second innings the feeling was that they were runs short and with both openers batting nicely Larne had reached 30 after 7 overs for no wicket.  A breakthrough was needed and when Simon Cardwell clean bowled one of the openers, Armagh burst into life.  Reggie Stinson, a master of his craft, had toiled in the heat and his reward came when he dismissed Baxter.  Harry Boyd took the valuable wicket of Hodge just before drinks and when Mark Stinson then came on he raced through the Larne middle order, finishing with 4 wickets.  Larne ended on 85 all out.  A very good fielding performance, with a couple of missed opportunities, lead to victory and all should be proud.  The Armagh players grafted in the heat as a team and deserved their victory.  A confidence is growing among the seconds team and all look forward to next weeks trip to Laurelvale.

Saturday 17th May Armagh 2nd XI v Carrickfergus 2nd XI

    Armagh seconds produced an excellent team performance to defeat their Carrickfergus counterparts by 140 runs on Saturday.

   On a bright, if not sunny, day Armagh chose to bat first and went about their business in tidy fashion with both openers starting brightly.  Unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals but everyone chipped in Villiers 39, Carberry 34 and Thornbury 20.  The pineapple on top of an already solid performance was provided by the young guns of Breakey 17 and Boyd 29 n.o. who took the score from 180 for 8 to the final total of 230 in very quick time – both young men have a very bright future.

    Carricks innings got off to a rather more tricky start with Lester taking his first wicket in only the second over.  The strong Armagh bowling attack lead by the renowned Stinson, playing his first game for the seconds in nearly 40 years, was too much for Carrick who collapsed to 90 runs all out.  Gillespie and Cardwell with 4 wickets apiece and Lester with 2 capped a first-rate fielding effort.  A great all round team performance and a comfortable victory to start the new season.