Victory over Cliftonville makes up for Downpatrick defeat

Last Friday, in a rearranged league game, they travelled to table -topping Downpatrick without five first team regulars and suffered a heavy defeat by 155 runs.

Batting first, Downpatrick were restricted to 219-6 wickets - a good total, but not out of reach.

David Marshall took 3-40, and two young bowlers, Matthew Lyttle and Lewis McNamara bowled creditably, although two bad overs each ruined their figures. They took 1-47 and 1-52 respectively.

The ‘Cloney response began disastrously, with professional Mansing Nigade holing out at mid-on in the first over. The innings simply folded after this for 64 all out.

However, Donaghcloney bounced back on Saturday with a good five wicket win over Cliftonville.

Batting first on a true pitch, Clifonville were quickly reduced to 13-4.

Skipper Keith Martin once again used the tactic of opening the bowling with his spin bowlers.

Gary Knox and Steve Hanna delivered. Gary took 1-13 and Steve 4 -12 in 9 overs in a superb spell of bowling.

Mansing Nigade chipped in with 3-10, and the innings closed on 71.

Notably, the fielding was keen, and Gary Knox, Bruce Topping, Phil Derby, Mark Campbell and Mansing Nigade all took excellent catches.

You might think this was an easy target, but ‘Cloney made hard work of it. Openers Colin Hylands and Mansing Nigade were out with 26 on the board.

Teenager Shane Warren batted sensibly with Bruce Topping to steady the ship, but misjudged a ball which cut back and was bowled for seven with the score on 53-3 wickets.

There were more alarms when Steve Hanna and Phil Derby departed, leaving the score on 58-5 wickets. However, David Marshall and Bruce Topping saw ‘Cloney past the post, with Bruce striking a fine straight six to finish on 27 not out.

Next week’s game is a tough trip to Carrickfergus.

- Cooke were powerless to resist as a quickfire 81 not out, including 16 fours from Robert Lyttle helped Donaghcloney Seconds to a nine-wicket victory at Shaw’s Bridge.

In a game reduced to 32 overs per side due to early rain Cooke were asked to bat first and struggled to 118 all out.

It took just over 15 overs for the Cloney to chase this total down, Robert ably assisted with a somewhat more restrained 33 from Matthew Lyttle, which included two huge sixes.