Brian Lyttle scoring a fine knock of 56 not out

Donacloney 2nds entertained unbeaten CIYMS on Saturday (12^th June 2010) at the Factory Ground, and on losing the toss Raymie Matthews’s team were asked to bowl first.

The team displayed a lot of determination as they fought to kick-start their season which has so far yielded no wins. Although a few chances were dropped CIYMS lost wickets at regular intervals as they struggled to score runs with any fluency.

In fact at times it looked like Donacloney were the unbeaten team as they eventually dismissed their more fashionable opponents for 132. The chief destroyer being Chris Clarke who claimed 3 for 28, while Stuart Copeland claimed 2 and Brian Lyttle, Willie Fisher and captain Matthews claimed 1 apiece. Mention must go to young under 15 player Jonathan Gregson who claimed 1 for 16 of a 4 over spell, in what was his first senior performance for the club.

In reply Richy Clydesdale looked confident before he was dismissed for a good knock of 36. Brian Lyttle entered the fray and looked confident as he stroked the ball about, however with partners struggling to stay it was stalwart Paul Lyttle who played the anchor role giving support to Brain who saw the team home with a fine 56 not out while Paul in support scoring 12, to claim a 4 wicket victory with 15 overs to spare.

Raymie was delighted with his teams performance ‘at last we have got the victory we deserved, it hopefully will us the confidence that we can compete in this league’, he added ‘young Chris Clarke showed great maturity in his display and in Jonathan Gregson we have another one for the future, while Richie Clydesdale and the wily Brian Lyttle batted superbly to earn us this victory’.

Donaghcloney batting first struggled to 113 all out, Barry Copeland top scoring with 26, Richie Clydesdale with 23 and young Rory Woods with a commendable 15 not out the only players to leave their mark. In reply Downpatrick raced home without the loss of any wickets in 15 overs.

Stevie Lyttle notching up an impressive 74

Newly promoted, Donacloney seconds travelled to Derriaghy and suffered and agonising 1 wicket defect. Batting first, they amassed 225 for 6 in their allotted overs. The mainstays of the innings were Stevie Lyttle, with an impressive 73, and Jim Warren with a stylish 47. They were well supported by Richard Lyttle (27), Richard Clydesdale and Johnny Clarke each scoring 21.

Derriaghy replied positively putting on 53 for the first wicket. Christopher Clarke, brought into the attack,  dismissed both openers in one over, giving the Cloney some optimism. Derriaghy continued to score at the required rate but continued to loose wickets with Kyle Weir and Rory Woods claiming 3 wickets and 2 wickets respectively. With the 9^th wicket falling at 196, the Cloney were in a strong position, but Derriaghy stalwart Jake Torrens saw the home side through.

Skipper, Raymie Matthews, while being devastated by the final manner of the defeat, praised his team performance against this talented opposition. Donacloney’s next opponents are Lurgan II at Pollock Park on Wednesday/ Thursday night.