Braidmen lose to champions in opening game

A GARETH Fisher half century was not enough to pull off what would have been a major upset for a severely weakened Ballymena 1st XI against Instonians in the opening round of NCU Premier League fixtures.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Apr 2010, 14:32 BST
Updated 27th Apr 2010, 11:59 BST

Ballymena's chances of surprising the league and cup double winners of 2009 were dealt two serious blows long before the action even got underway at Shawsbridge on Saturday afternoon.

The club's professional, Kaushik Aphale stranded in India due to the volcanic ash and star batsman David Kennedy ruled out due to a back injury.

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Batting first on what was an unusually dry wicket for this time of year, Ballymena scored 178 for 6 from their allotted 50 overs.

Fisher was the major scorer of the innings, scoring heavily with strong shots, particularly in the 'V'.

He finished the innings, undefeated with a 44 ball 53, which included 2 maximums and three fours.

Stephen Colgan (35) and the Kennedy brothers Robert (36) and James (26) were the other main contributors to the innings but all three were disappointed at 'getting in' and not going on to turn their scores into 'big ones'.

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Although this was a useful score considering their weakened batting line up it was unlikely to pose a major problem for an excellent Instonians' top order and so it proved.

Despite an excellent spell of aggressive bowling from the evergreen Michael Glass, ten overs at a cost of only 29 runs, batsmen McCann and Stevenson put together a partnership of 92 before the latter fell to a sharp catch at slip having been reprieved on two earlier occasions.

McCann who was also given a lifeline whilst in single figures was dismissed shortly afterwards by a ball from Carl Williams which surprised the batsman by spinning sharply.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for the Ballymena attack as Inst's South African professional, Davey Jacobs (49*) and James Shannon took their side past the target.

THIS WEEKEND

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Ballymena's 1st XI is to play newly promoted Downpatrick at Eaton Park this Saturday.

Due to the unavailability of new signing Andy Kirkpatrick, the experienced and former skipper Neil Fullerton will return behind the stumps. Ballymena will also be weakened by the absence of the holidaying Robert Kennedy and William Cameron.

Team from: J Kennedy, S McDowell, D Kennedy, M Glass, G Fisher, M Verjee, S Colgan, C Williams, J Gibson, M Purse, K Aphale, N Fullerton

Elsewhere on Saturday, the Thirds take on Woodvale Thirds at Eaton Park, while the FOurths travel to 'derby' rivals Muckamore Fourths.

Related topics:BallymenaDavid KennedyPremier League