Firsts secure promotion at Cregagh
David Marshall (31) and Colin Martin (90) reflect on a match winning partnership hitting six 6's between them
On Saturday Donaghcloney made the trip to Belfast to take on Cregagh, another struggling team, knowing that a win would secure promotion for the village side. Skipper Keith Martin won the toss and elected to take first use on what he described ‘a dream of a track’.
The skipper himself opened the batting along with Stephen Hanna, and the pair although they found it a struggle to score freely occupied the crease, and added 30 for the first wicket before Keith departed for 15.
Hanna was joined by briefly by Neil Carson who departed for 5, and then was joined by the inform Colin Martin. The pair started to accumulate runs more freely especially Colin who seemed to be finding the sweet spot from early on. read more…
31 not out for the in form Colin Martin
It was another solid display by Donaghcloney 1st XI on Wednesday night against Dunmurry. Traveling away midweek is never easy but a strong side turned up to take on a struggling Dunmurry team. Dunmurry won the toss and elected to bat on a poor wicket and a very slow outfield. Credit must go to the bowlers who bowled very well throughout but for once the fielding let Donaghcloney down. A total of 6 catches were dropped more than the rest of the season put together which allowed Dunmurry to reach 71. The wickets were shared between amongst the bowlers with Steven Hanna figures of 4 overs 2 for 7 being the standout.
Richard scored 61 against Saintfield his first senior half century
It was another disappointing result for the Donaghcloney 2nd XI against Saintfield on Saturday past. The Donaghcloney squad containing a mixture of youth and experience were unable to gain revenge against a strong Sainfield side. On a sunny day at the Factory ground the visitors batted first and scored an impressive 253 in the allotted 50 overs. Sainfielfd got of to a great start with both openers getting a decent start before skipper Raymie Matthews brought himself on and got the vital breakthrough. The spin of Matthews went on to take a total of 3 wickets and Brian Lyttle bowled a niggling length and he too secured 3 wickets. Wickets however were hard to come by and all the bowlers proved expensive allowing the Saintfield batsmen to take full advantage of the loose deliveries. read more…
Man of the Match - Davy Marshall - Bowling figures of 5 for 17 from 10 overs
It was derby day as local rivals Donaghcloney and Millpark competed in a top of the table clash. Both teams have played consistently all year with only 2 losses apiece, though Millpark held the psychological edge having comprehensively beaten the Cloney in the previous encounter this year.
The sun was shining in Tullylish and Donaghcloney skipper won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a green wicket. The Millpark bowling attack was accurate from the start and Steven Lecky claimed the early scalps of Lyness Topping and Keith Martin. At 21 for 2 the visitors were under a little pressure but Colin Martin and Neil Carson steadied the ship. Colin batted with confidence and defied the wicket conditions by attacking the bowling of Lecky and Kidd reaching a score of 30 runs with some style. In a lapse of concentration he punched a long hop straight into cover points hands and his day with the bat was over. The partnership of 52 between Colin and Neil proved to be the best of both innings and the difference in the two teams. Neil battled on and grafted a well fought 45 in 40 overs while he watched his batting partners come and go at the other end. No one else scored many runs with the exception of young Peter Moates who chipped in with a valuable 10 at the end of the Innings. Donaghcloney were all out for 134 with the wickets shared equally amongst the Millpark bowlers. read more…
3rd XI impress over Victoria
Winning 3rd XI team against Victoria
Donaghcloney 3rd XI took on A Victoria 3rd XI in a midweek 20 over friendly on Thursday night down at the factory Ground. The consisted of a mixture of youth and experience with old hand Paul Lyttle captaining the side. Paul won the toss and elected to bat on what was a good track. His batsmen didn’t let him down amassing an impressive 146 runs in the 20 overs. It was the younger members of the team that were successful with the bat and posted a great total. Ryan Cobb scored 34, Jonny Gregson hit an impressive 29 while young Rory Woods had his eye in from the start and eased his way to 44 before being caught out. The scoreboard never stopped ticking over and there was plenty of good running between the wickets and the bad ball was sent towards the boundary. read more…
