Mansing smashes superb unbeaten 153

It also took an incredible final wicket stand of 110 runs between Nigade and Timmy McClure to secure victory.

Earlier, the visitors were tied down by some accurate bowling from Stephen Hanna, Matthew Lyttle and Jonny Stevenson although it took a superb ball from Stevenson to claim the first wicket of the opposition professional Clunes with the score on 50 after 15 overs.

A short break for rain seemed to upset Donghcloney’s concentration as Greer and Campbell began to accelerate the scoring rate helped by some wayward bowling and poor fielding. This inability to maintain pressure on the batsmen has been one of the features of Donaghcloney’s disappointing season.

All Templepatrick’s batsmen batted purposefully and displayed excellent technique as they reached a commanding 206 for 4 after 40 overs. Mansing Nigade was introduced into the attack and took three late wickets although he could not prevent the visitors reaching a impressive total of 271 for 8.

Donaghcloney’s reply started positively with quick scoring from Topping, Derby and Harland as the home side reached 90 for 3 after 18 overs. Unfortunately none of these batsmen were able to convert their starts into a big innings and these cameos were simply to provide the curtain raiser to Nigade’s magnificent innings.

Already established, Nigade began to unfurl and array of elegant on/off drives and cuts as he began to demolish the tiring Templepatrick bowling.

Donaghcloney’s middle order however did not support Mansing as a succession of wickets fell due to poor shots.

At 163-9, Donaghcloney were facing another big defeat but Timmy McClure had other ideas as he simply refused to give his wicket away. He defended every ball on the stumps and left everything else.

He eventually finished on a crucial 2 not out in a stand of 110.

Mansing continued his commanding form as he added some big sixes and kept control of the strike to take Donaghcloney to the wining total with three overs to spare. This was a truly special innings as Mansing had to cope with the pressure of chasing a big total and wickets falling at the other end.

He proved that he was a class apart and it is unlikely that such an innings has ever been witnessed a the factory ground.