Carrick still without a league win despite improved display

Carrick batted first at Shaw’s Bridge and some hostile and accurate pace bowling saw them struggle to 26 for three after 14 overs.

However, Jamie Holmes and Indrajeet Kamtekar then led a recovery for their side, adding 94 runs in 25 overs, before Kamtekar was run out for 35.

Holmes was again in fine form, completing an excellent 50 before he was adjudged lbw to a ball he appeared to have hit with his bat. His score of 62 included seven fours and a six.

By this time the score had reached 139 for six with five overs remaining.

A rapid 29 off 22 with three fours and two sixes from Alex Haggan, with good support coming from Jack Burton, saw Carrick reach a respectable total of 188 when the last wicket fell to the first ball of the 50th and final over.

Anthony Martin struck early for Carrick, sending both Instonians opening batsmen back to the pavilion without scoring.

However, new pro Iqbal and James Shannon then shared in a 63-run partnership before Haggan took a sharp return catch off his own bowling to dimiss Iqbal for 27. Shannon was joined at the wicket by fellow Irish international Andrew White, before being caught off a skier for 46 with the score just past the 100 mark.

Eric Layard and White then put the result beyond doubt with a 74-run partnership during the course of the next 15 overs.

Carrickfergus 188 (J Holmes 62, I Kamtekar 35, A Haggan 29, S Bunting 3-26, A White 2-45, F Iqbal 2-47)

Instonians 189 for 6 (A White 67 no, J Shannon 46, E Layard 34, F Iqbal 27, A Martin 2-32). Instonians won by 4 wickets