CRICKET: Win over Ballymena completes great escape for Carrick

They won their crucial match against basement side Ballymena in a rain-affected game at Eaton Park to complete a remarkable turn around.

Saturday’s victory not only guaranteed their safety but saw them leap-frog Lisburn into sixth.

Carrick were 83 for two after 26 overs, chasing Ballymena’s modest total of 145 when torrential rain ended any chance of further play.

With only two wickets down Carrick were well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis par score which was 56, to give them a 27-run victory.

Michael Gilmour, who batted throughout the innings for an unbeaten 35 and Jamie Holmes on 14 not-out, were there at the end, having made sure that Carrick remained well ahead of the par score with rain threatening for most of their innings.

Skipper Iain Parkhill and Gilmour had given them a solid start with a 48-run opening partnership in 15 overs, before Parkhill hit a return catch to young spinner Sam Glass for 15.

Jon Ring became Glass’s second victim shortly afterwards but that was to be the extent of Ballymena’s success.

Carrick’s final league match of the season will be against CIYMS at Middle Road this Saturday at 11 am.

Match summary

Ballymena 145/9 (50 overs; A Ghumman 51, J Glass 40, I Kamtekar 2-27, A Haggan 2-32)

Carrickfergus 83/2 (26 overs; M Gilmour 35 no, S Glass 2-20)

DLS par score 56 in 26 overs

Carrickfergus won by 27 runs