Carrickfergus Cricket Club 1st XI completed their season on Saturday with a fourth straight win, against CSNI at Middle Road. After the other weekend’s results, this was good enough to confirm that Carrick had finished in 2nd place in the Ulster Bank Premier League, their highest ever finish.
With the start delayed due to rain, and heavy showers forecast for the remainder of the day, the visitors won the toss and asked Carrick to bat first, and they struggled in difficult conditions. Only Jamie Holmes with 25 made much impression as they struggled to 80 for 6, when rain forced them off the field for the second time during the 25th over. 15 year old schoolboy Harry Warke on his 1st XI debut and Ryan Eagleson were now at the wicket, and on the resumption, the match had been reduced to one of 38 overs. Eagleson led an onslaught on the bowling during the remaining overs, hammering 45 runs from 42 balls with three 4’s and 4 huge 6’s. Young Warke gave him excellent support with an unbeaten 18, as Carrick finished on 144 for 6 after their 38 overs. This was adjusted using DLS to give CSNI a target of 149 to win.
After losing two early wickets, skipper Cowden and Getkate added 48 in 8 overs, before the big hitting Getkate was caught at deep mid-wicket by Eagleson off the bowling of Alex Haggan for 32. In the following over Ashwin Shetty had Cowden caught behind. During a superb spell, Shetty struck with three further wickets, which reduced the visitors to 104 for 7. Tail-enders Goodall and Wilson put up some resistance, but Haggan’s pace accounted for two further wickets. The last two batsmen were now at the wicket with 25 runs still needed, a few lusty blows got them close, but it was youngster Harry Warke who had the final say, completing a very promising debut by running out Blain to end proceedings in the 34th over with the CSNI total on 137.
