Winning run ends for Lisburn as they are defeated on Comber visit

North Down asked Lisburn to bat on a blazing hot day at The Green and their decision was rewarded with the early wicket of Robert Rankin who was bowled by Austrailian Tim Ley for a ‘duck’ off the fifth ball of the game.

Adam Berry then had the prolific Craig Ervine as a partner and the pair batted very sensibly for the next 16 overs adding 62 before Berry was caught off Eakin for 25 and that brought together Ervine and Lisburn’s professional Darryl Brown both of whom played some good shots during their partnership of 30 in the next six overs until Brown was lbw to Cameron-Dow for a swift but insufficient 15.

Once again Craig Ervine looked in a class of his own and with Lisburn captain, Davey Simpson set about amassing a decent score on a true wicket. They were together for 13 overs with Simpson supporting Ervine all the way. Ervine looked in no trouble while Simpson found it difficult to score freely and it was a surprise to him when he lost his ace card, Ervine in the 37th over. Craig had batted for 92 ball for his 75 hitting 11 boundaries before mistiming a drive and being caught at short extra cover.

Simpson tried hard to push the score along as he realised Lisburn were not heading for a really competitive total and after losing Nathan Waller to a poor shot, he too was caught at mid on for a gritty 28 as his team reached the score of 164 for 6 in the 45th over.

Again, Lisburn failed to provide a boost to their innings as the late order instead of setting their sights on singles and twos, attempted to strike the ball in vain and were able to add just 21 off the last 5 overs giving them a final total of 185 all out in the 49th over.

Lisburn got an encouraging start when they dismissed danger man Johnny Terrett in the first over, caught behind the wicket by Stephen Allen off the bowling of Davey Simpson.

When Ryan Haire was also caught by Allen off Nathan Waller in the 4th over, Lisburn were optimistic but it was their last success for 17 overs as the North Down professional, Nick Larkin settled the innings with the help of Andrew Shields. Larkin added 71 with Shields in good time before Craig Ervine again came to the rescue with the wicket of Shields for 29 in the 21st over but at that stage North Down were well on their way at 87 for 3.

Peter Shields, having scored a very good supportive 29 was out in the 44th over with the score on 178 but Larkin took his side through to a comfortable 5 wicket victory remaining 90 not out with 8 boundaries and a six in his 132 balls faced at the crease.

The Lisburn attack seemed to lack the necessary penetration at crucial times during the game and had no answer to the class and ‘nous’ of Larkin. Davey Simpson, after a good start ended with 1 for 40 off his 8 overs while Nathan Waller had the disappointing figures of 1 for 50 including far too many wides. Indeed, Lisburn bowled 26 wides and 36 extras in total giving their opponents a welcome present as they chased the moderate score of 185. Craig Ervine was top performer with the ball with analysis of 2 for 19 off his full 10 overs while Darryl Brown took 1 for 39 off his 8. Richard McConkey bowled 6 overs without reward and Friends School captain Peter Ferguson bowled just two overs also without a wicket.

Lisburn teams for the weekend: FIRSTS v North Down 20/20 final at Waringstown Friday 19th 6pm - David Simpson (capt), D.Brown, C.Ervine, N.Waller, S.Allen, A.Berry, M.Berry, R.Simpson, R.McConkey, P.Ferguson, R.Rankin.

FIRSTS v Instonians, Premier League, Wallace Park Saturday 12pm - Carl Williams replaces Peter Ferguson.