Academy clinch NCU Section 2 title at Victoria

For the first time in their history, Academy First XI completed a league and cup Double on Saturday when they defeated Victoria by 138 runs in their final league fixture of the season.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Sep 2014, 10:03 BST
NCU President Billy Boyd presents Academy skipper Matthew Palmer with the Section 2 League trophy.NCU President Billy Boyd presents Academy skipper Matthew Palmer with the Section 2 League trophy.
NCU President Billy Boyd presents Academy skipper Matthew Palmer with the Section 2 League trophy.

Being asked to bat first at Lurgan Park, Academy openers Andre Halbert (45) and Mitchell Atkins (20) laid a solid foundation with an opening partnership of 67.

Mark Shields (51) and captain Mathew Palmer (17) put on 72 for the third wicket, enabling the visitors to reach a respectable 214 all-out off the last ball of the 50 overs.

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The Victoria batsmen were soon in trouble as pace bowler Waqas Muhammad ripped through the top order. The scoreboard was showing 20 for 5 after just seven overs.

With only Bunting (23) and McClune (12) reaching double figures, Victoria finished on 76 all-out.

Muhammad earned an Ulster Bank Award with figures of 6 for 26 off his 10 overs.

David Greenlees picked up two wickets with his spin bowling, with Adam Montgomery and Halbert claiming one each.

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NCU President Billy Boyd was on hand to present Academy with the Ulster Bank Section 2 League trophy and the celebrations duly began.

It will go down as a highly successful year for the Hydepark club with the first XI winning the Junior Cup, Section 2 League title, and reaching the final of the T20 .

The Seconds finished third in Junior League 2, the Thirds won Junior League 6, and the Fourths gained promotion from Junior League 8.