Thirds give departing captain perfect send-off

This is the second time in 3 years that the 3rds have won their league and it caps another fine season for the Eaton Park boys.

Ballymena won the toss and were happy to bat first but soon lost Richard McNeill, LBW for 3.

Andy Lytle has had a quiet season with the bat but he looked in good touch, hitting 7 boundaries on his way to 38 before being adjudged LBW to spinner Sam Gordon.

Michael Caithness was next to fall for 7 which brought McGookin and Martin together and the pair soon cut loose, dispatching the ball to all parts, McGookin smashing 3 sixes in 3 balls.

Martin was caught for 34 and McGookin bowled for 45 but the lower order continued to plunder runs, Adam Whitehurst hitting an impressive 34 and Andy Craig delighting the crowd with his first 6 of the season. The innings finished on 218 for 9 off 35 overs.

Muckamore, who are still in danger of relegation, struggled to impose themselves on the Ballymena bowling. Anthony Fraser, who has had an outstanding season with the ball, was first to strike and claimed 2 for 11 off 4 overs.

Johnny McClelland bowled with good pace and hostility but failed to take a wicket. Neal Patterson, who along with Gavin Murray came out of cricket retirement for this game, rolled back the years as he bowled with his usual fire.

At the other end, Michael Caithness was brought on to bowl his leg spin and soon had the batsmen tied up in knots. Caithness produced his best ever figures for the 3rds, taking 5 for 18 off 5 overs. McNeill was well rewarded with the wicket of McCurry, clean bowling the tail-ender.

It was with great reluctance that skipper Lytle bowed to the pressure of his team to bring himself on to bowl but their faith in him was well placed as he took the last two wickets in his first over, prompting scenes of wild celebrations except from McGookin who had been promised the next over!

So a 144 run victory completed a memorable season and leaves the 3rds clear at the top of the league with 10 wins from 14.