In-form Cloney do the double

The firsts traveled to Laurelvale with hopes of beating local rivals and keep any hopes of promotion alive.

The forecast for the day was mixed but with the fine weather of the previous two weeks the pitch at Laurelvale looked hard and fast.

Taking advantage of winning the toss Laurelvale chose to bat and were soon of to a flying.

At 55 for 1 after just 8 overs the home side looked like a big total could be posted. The breakthrough for Donaghcloney came when the canny bowling of Charlie McCrum finally found the edge of Gary Murphy’s bat and he was out caught behind for an impressive 34.

This started the steady flow of wickets and at drinks Laurelvale still looked comfortable enough at 118 for 4.

However, after drinks some fantastic hostile bowling from Steven Lecky and Matthew Lyttle son got Laurelvale on the back foot. With a little extra bounce in the pitch Lecky and Lyttle picked up the last 6 wickets with Laurelvale only managing to bring their tally to 146 before being all out.

With the clouds gathering, it was hoped that the rain wouldn’t spoil the game. Club Professional Mansing and Phil Derby opened the batting. Both players adapted to the speed of the pitch well and put on 52 before Derby ws out for 14. Charlie McCrum came to the crease and along with Mansing the pair never really looked in trouble, pulling the short ball, driving the well pitched up delivery and constantly rotating the strike. Laurelvale had no answer and Donaghcloney reached the target of 147 in the 24th over.

Mansing just fell short of his ton with 96 not out while McCrum was 26 not out and the end of the day. Donaghcloney are now third in the league behind Academy and Armagh.

Meanwhile at the Factory Ground, Donaghcloney Twos posted 324 in 40 overs. Colin Hylands scored 64, Steven Lyttle 62, Richard Lyttle 54 and Robert Lyttle 57. The visitors had no reply and were bowled out cheaply for less than 200 with the wickets shared amongst the bowlers.