4ths Reports 2008

Armagh IV V North Down IV 19/07/07

Armagh Fourths consolidated their position at the top of the league with this emphatic 9 wicket victory over North Down on Saturday on the Mall. Missing several key players, stand in skipper Ryan McCarter and manager George Breakey recruited a few old hands such as the returning Andy Williamson to bolster the ranks.

      North Down won the toss and opted to bat first in a 30 over encounter and this seemed like a inspired decision as young openers Russell and Arthur kept the score racing alone, particularly harsh on the quicker bowlers to race to 70 off only 12 overs before Russell was well caught at mid wicket by Williamson off the spin bowling of Steenson .Paul McCord was introduced to the attack and his wealth of experience showed in a restricting spell, taking 2-18 as the run rate began to plummet but not before Arthur recorded a fine half century.

      Coming into the last 10 overs medium pacers Michael Hoey and Ryan McCarter were operating in tandem and this pair proved hard to get away, indeed Hoey picked up the key wicket of Arthur and McCarter, in a rare bowling spell picket up the wickets of veteran run-getter Don Shields and North Down skipper Moreland as the visitors stuttered to 129 for 7 a fine effort by Armagh after a poor start.

      The Armagh reply got off to a solid start against some decent bowling before Williamson was unlucky to be caught behind for 9, this brought Davy Nicholson to the wicket and in partnership with Steenson they recorded a fine 9 wicket win inside 22 overs. Steenson underlining his potential with a fine 73 not out and Nicholson contributing a hard hitting 38. in what was another comprehensive win for the 4ths.

 North Down IV 139-7 (Arthur 52, Russell 40 McCord 2-18, McCarter 2-19)

 Armagh IV 140-1 ( Steenson 73* , Nicholson 38*)

Armagh IV V Larne IV 16/07/08

     Armagh IV entertained their Larne counterparts in a mid week encounter on Wednesday and secured a 12 run victory in a pulsating encounter. Armagh won the toss and opted to bat and they were given a perfect platform by openers Paul Wilson and Ryan McCarter who compiled a stand worth 50 before Wilson was bowled by Hayes for 19. Davy Nicholson joined McCarter and they avoided any further scares before McCarter played on to his own stumps for 27 before drinks. Nicholson followed soon after the interval for 27 also and when he was swiftly followed by Adam Breakey for 7.

     Armagh were now stuttering at 101 for 4, this brought captain Keith Wilson and all-rounder Matthew Brownlee together at the crease and this pair rallied with some expert placement and hard hitting to record a fantastic 86 run partnership in quick time before Brownlee was bowled for a career best 41 including 4 fours and a towering six into the trees .Wilson would remain unbeaten on 36 as Armagh totalled 196, a total that seemed imposing for the young Larne XI

      Larne’s pursuit of the runs needed got off to a awful start as danger man Timmy Evans was well caught by Paul Wilson at cover from the bowling of Uddin and wicketkeeper Adam Breakey then showed great awareness to run out the other opener with a direct hit at the non strikers end. Saunderson and Glenholmes began a counter attack and attacked all the bowlers at will recording a quick 119 run partnership. The scene was set for veteran Arnold Courtney who began a match winning bowling spell by removing Glenholmes for 49 in his 3rd over before Paul Wilson clean bowled Saunderson for a well played 70, this brought Larne stalwart Esler Burke to the wicket and he tried his best to rally the Larne lower middle order but Courtney had other ideas as he clean bowled Wharry and Dick to record fine figures of 4 for 33. Davy Acheson returned after a fruitless opening spell and he removed Humphries, this brought number 11 Hayes to the wicket with 20 still needed to win. Burke managed to hit Keith Wilson for a couple of fours to reduce the margin but when he took off for a single Courtney swooped to run out Hayes and hand Armagh a 12 run victory.

 Armagh IV 196-5 (M Brownlee 41, K Wilson 36*)

 Larne IV 184 (A Courtney 4-33 P Wilson 2-42)

Waringstown IV V Armagh IV 17/05/08

            A youthful Armagh Fourths side recorded a memorable 37 run victory over Waringstown 4ths on Saturday in an exciting match. Armagh were inserted to bat on a under prepared wicket and with a lush outfield it was clear runs were going to be hard to come by.

            Matthew Brownlee departed early on, but captain Matthew Wright joined Ryan McCarter, making his seasonal debut and this pair batted conservatively before Wright was bowled by impressive pace bowler Sergeant for 10, Robert Dodds joined McCarter and together they added a patient 36 before McCarter fell for a doughty 19, Dodds followed soon after and with the score on 58 it looked as if the Armagh innings could subside swiftly as Lukeman Uddin, David Spratt and Jack Best departed but Arnold Courtney (10) and Ally Dodds (15) rallied and together with some extras and intelligent running Armagh managed to total 101 which was a decent total given the conditions

           Armagh knew their fielding and bowling needed to be a of a high standard to defend this total, and got off to a great start when Uddin had danger man Neil Matthews caught by Ally Dodds at midwicket for only 3, Gardiner seemed intent to dominate the bowling and he struck some big shots before being brilliantly caught by Spratt give Uddin a second wicket.

            Kerr and McClimond began to bat sensibly and brought the score to 55 before Arnold Courtney and Left arm seamer Mark Kells entered the fray and they turned the game on its head as they began to pick up regular wickets, aided by some good catching from Robert Dodds, Brownlee and Uddin to bowl Waringstown out for only 64, a remarkable turnaround. Kells lead the way with 5-8 backed up by the military medium of Courtney with 3-12. Skipper Wright was understandably delighted with this performance and paid tribute to the excellent fielding performance from his young team.