3rds Reports 2009
Larne V Armagh
After their resounding success the previous Saturday Armagh Thirds travelled to Larne at the weekend and came away with a much different result! Captain for the day Keith Wilson won the toss and batted on a true artificial strip in sunny conditions. However the much depleted team from the previous game were skittled out for a meagre 62 with the young talented opening batsman, Ricky Morrison scoring a powerful 32 before holing out in the deep. Alan Stoops, a man usually known for his bowling exploits was the only other batsman to reach double figures scoring 13 before he was adjudged caught behind. Larne skipper Michael Lyle, a part time seamer claimed dream figures of 3-9 in 7 overs!
In reply Larne only took 17 overs to reach their target losing 3 wickets. Michael Lyle continued his good form with the ball as he batted sensibly to record 25 not out! Larne stalwart Esler Burke chipped in with 14 before giving debutant Robert Armstrong his first wicket for the club courtesy of a Jack Ellis catch!
All in all it was a day to forget for the third XI, with many players unwilling to make the journey to Larne to play a team that a full strength Armagh would beat most days. Special thanks must go to Savio Sardinhia and his son Shaun and also John Gray who received a late call up as Armagh will hopefully will not be looking back come September to this fixture as a wasted chance to guarantee survival in a highly competitive league!
ARMAGH III 62 (R.Morrison 32, A Stoops 13, M Lyle 3-9, Z Weatherhead 3-15)
LARNE III 64 – 3 (M Lyle 25no, E Burke 14, R Armstrong 1-0, A Hoey 1-23, A Dodds 1-23)
Saintfield V Armagh
Armagh Thirds got their first win of the 2009 campaign with a fairly convincing and always in control 38 run margin last Saturday against Saintfield Thirds.
The match was played at Kilmore near Crossgar in fairly pleasant conditions with just a scattering of light showers. Armagh Thirds were virtually unrecognisable from there last outing a 10 wicket defeat at North Down. Keith Wilson was drafted in as skipper and brought with him Jack Ellis, Jack Best and Chris Crowe from the 4th XI ranks. Armagh welcomed back the services of Alan Stoops from injury and Simon Courtney who was playing his first game for the club in several seasons! Lauren Breakey, daughter of Club President George W Breakey was handed her debut for the club whilst Paul McCord, Ricky Morrison, David Spratt and Ally Dodds were retained from the North Down defeat.
Saintfield skipper, the affable but competitive, Brendan Mullan won the toss and inserted Armagh on a strip he expected to benefit his array of seamers. Armagh’s openers Paul McCord and Ricky Morrison however had other ideas as McCord in particular declared his intentions from the start plundering the first two balls of the opening over for four. He received terrific support from the young talented Morrison as the combination of youth and experience worked perfectly for the visitors as Armagh put on 83 for the first wicket. Morrison was first to depart for an excellent 38 his highest score for the club in his short career so far. However if Saturday was any indication it will not be long until he records many scores in excess of this one. Armagh’s middle order stuttered somewhat as Ally Dodds went for nought while Jack Best and David Spratt got themselves out having looked comfortable, but their time will certainly come as the 2 young Royal School pupils looked relaxed with great techniques. Paul McCord was next to depart for a well constructed 55, his first half century for some time which included seven 4’s and one huge towering 6. His innings was to prove the pivot for Armagh’s huge score of 177-8 in 30 overs and without his contribution Armagh simply would have struggled. Jack Ellis ended the innings with a flurry with a hard hitting 32 containing five four’s which was to be just what the doctor ordered ably supported by Keith Wilson as these two added 45 in the closing overs, both however were run out in the quest for late runs. Lauren Breakey and Simon Courtney ended the innings not out as Coutney showed he has lost none of his speed between the wickets.
Saintfield began their chase brightly with a few lusty blows before McCord removed opener Stoneman thanks to an excellent catch by Chris Crowe. Crowe was in action shortly after running out the skipper Mullan combining well with keeper Morrison to reduce the hosts too 28-2. Armagh’s opening bowlers of McCord and Dodds finished their spells with Saintfield 47-2 and well in the game McCord in particular very miserly in his 6 overs taking 1-16. Armagh captain Keith Wilson then introduce himself and Alan Stoops into the attack as the 2 experienced campaigners set about Saintfield’s demise. Stoops struck first having opener Bert Hamilton caught and bowled for a fine 30. Wilson then struck in his 2nd over as John Donnan was deceived in the flight merely chipping one to Ellis at Mid on. Wilson continued to bowl width guile taking a further 4 wickets finishing with 5-27 one wicket in particular thanks to an excellently judged catch by Simon Courtney. Wilson and Stoops haven’t often bowled in tandem over the years but when they do the combination of the veteran off spinner and the rugged medium pacer rarely fail. This proved no exception as they simply stifled the saints batsmen collapsing to 99-7 after 24 overs. Saintfield plundered a few late blows to finish 1on 139 with Simon Courtney polishing off the innings although Lauren Breakey was unlucky not to claim her first senior wicket.
Armagh acting captain Keith Wilson was delighted with the result declaring “ This was a wonderful display by a very enthusiastic team and I would say every member played a part in an excellent victory. However if I had to single out one person it would be Ricky Morrison for a fantastic performance 38 runs 2 run outs and one catch. Not a bad day at the office!!”
ARMAGH III 177-8 (P McCord 55, R.Morrison 38, J.Ellis 32)
SAINTFIELD III 139 all out ( B.Hamilton 30, K.Wilson 5-27, S.Courtney 1-12, P.McCord 1-16, A.Stoops 1-30)
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