Braidmen left feeling 'Down' after disappointing defeat

GAVIN Ringland's brilliant 54 not out from just 34 balls helped Downpatrick inflict a six wicket defeat on Ballymena in Saturday's Premier League clash at Eaton Park.

Coming to the wicket at 127 for four with just nine overs and four balls remaining Ringland and his partner James Cunningham (28 not out) proceeded to knock off the 67 runs required for victory with two overs to spare.

Ringland smashed three sixes and six fours in his match-winning innings, while Cunningham, who survived a huge caught behind appeal early in his knock, hit one four and one maximum.

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This was a vital victory for the visitors, who were promoted into the top flight last year, but for Ballymena it was a damaging defeat against a side they would have been looking to beat twice this summer.

Ballymena totalled 193 for five earlier in the day, but in truth they should have scored around 220, against a bowling attack that - Dale Mullan and professional Mohammed Farruhk apart - lacked penetration and was decidedly weak.

The home side got off to a great start, scoring 40 without loss in ten overs thanks to Carl Williams (28) and Stephen Colgan (20), but they failed to fully build on that despite a promising debut from overseas star Kaushik Aphale.

The Indian scored 66 from 91 balls, with two sixes and four fours, but his ability to work the ball around the field was the impressive thing about his innings, with 36 runs coming in singles.

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James Kennedy, although never at his fluent best, scored 38, with the pair putting on 81 for the fourth wicket, while Michael Glass, promoted up the order, grabbed a quickfire 17 off just 11 balls.

Downpatrick started steadily with openers Mullan and Paul Linehan putting on 62 in 23 overs but when Farrukh was trapped in front by the impressive Simon McDowell they were 95 for three with just over 16 overs remaining.

McDowell claimed two for 20 off his ten overs, while Aphale finished with one for 32, but Williams and debutant David Thompson came in for some stick - especially when Ringland got into full swing - with their combined 16 overs costing exactly 100 runs.

Both sides bowled too many 'four balls' but the difference was that while Downpatrick punished anything loose from the home attack the same didn't always happen in the first innings.

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Praise should also go to George Glass and his hard working ground staff for preparing a surface that produced almost 400 runs at a cost of just nine wickets.

This Saturday, Ballymena host North West side Fox Lodge in the opening round of the All-Ireland Cup (1pm start).

THIRDS

Ballymena Thirds welcomed Woodvale Thirds to Eaton Park on Saturday hoping to avenge last season’s cup final defeat.

The Ballymena side was missing many of its regulars from last season but this did not prevent them from securing a comfortable seven wicket win.

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The visitors batted first and former Ireland international Alan Rutherford steered them to 120 for 4 off 30 overs, the wickets shared by Jonathan McClelland and debutants Thomas Moore and Adam Jackson.

Ballymena lost skipper Andrew Lytle in the second over to a ball that kept low and Fergus Taylor soon fell to a similar unplayable delivery.

Opener James Carmichael and Ballymena Academy batsman Richard McNeill steadied the ship and took their team within sight of victory.

Carmichael was dismissed for 31 and some powerful hitting from Jeff Martin at the end brought Ballymena home with six overs to spare. McNeill, man of the match, finished on 38 not out, his highest score for the Thirds.

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This week the Thirds will be at home to Bangor Thirds starting at 2pm.

JUNIOR CRICKET

Junior Cricket practices will start this Wednesday at Ballymena CC, Eaton Park for Under 15 and Under 13 age groups.

Practices will run from 6:30 – 8:00. See website for more information – www.ballymenacc.co.uk

SCHOOL CRICKET

Jack Archer, captain of Ballymena Academy U12 Cricket team, scored an impressive 61 as his team demolished Ballyclare High on Saturday.

This innings included 12 fours, all this after Archer was dropped off his first ball – a costly miss indeed.

Josh Scott was the pick of the Academy bowlers claiming four wickets for one run.