Comeback lays platform for CI’s league success
CIYMS retained the Robinson Services Premier League title last night when their second match of the day, against Instonians at Shaw’s Bridge, ended in a tie.
Instonians had confirmed their top flight safety with victory over Muckamore in their morning match and when the Moylena side’s second game at Carrickfergus was abandoned as a no-result, it condemned Muckamore to Section One cricket next season.
A superb comeback victory by the champions at North Down in their first match yesterday was the game which effectively settled the destination of this year’s league trophy. Despite being restricted to 113-5 in their 20 overs — the duration of all the games yesterday as they were second and final attempts — and North Down seemingly coasting at 86-3 in reply, needing less than a run a ball, they could score only 22-4 in the last five overs with Jacob Mulder conceding just three runs in the last over.
After losing only their second league game of the season, to Carrickfergus, on Saturday, it was the mark of champions to bounce back against their closest pursuers and it sent them to Shaw’s Bridge knowing a tie would be enough to retain the title.
This time it was CI batting second, and under pressure after a superb 108 from just 47 balls by Shane Getkate, which included 11 sixes, they were set a victory target of 193. The man in form, John Matchett, gave them the perfect launching pad with 72 from 45 balls (seven fours and five sixes) and, when he was out in the 12th over, CI were 109-3. With Jason van der Merwe hitting 40 off 16 balls, they needed seven off the last over for the tie. With the help of four leg byes, they got there with two balls to spare but then lost two wickets and had to be satisfied with the two points, which ensured that skipper Nigel Jones (above) got to grips with the Premier League trophy. At the bottom of Section One, Bangor lost their second match of the weekend, to Cregagh, and will be relegated next Saturday if Downpatrick beat Donaghcloney Mill. ROBINSON SERVICES PREMIER LEAGUE The Green: CIYMS 1135 (20 overs, R Hunter 30 not out, C Dougherty 28; P Eakin 3-18) North Down 108-7 (20 overs, P Eakin 23, R Pretorius 22; J Mulder 2-13). CIYMS won by 5 runs.
Moylena: Instonians 150-9 (20 overs, M Commins 59, N Smith 27; N Gill 4-17, P Karthhik 2-19, S Lazars 2-26) Muckamore 115-9 (20 overs, S Lazars 23; J Manley 3-11, A White 3-19). Instonians won by 35 runs. Shaw’s Bridge: Instonians 192-4 (20 overs, S Getkate 108, M Commins 37, O Metcalfe 28; J van der Merwe 2-27) CIYMS 192-8 (20 overs, J Matchett 72, J van der Merwe 40, J Mulder 20; J Manley 3-38). Match tied. Middle Road: Carrickfergus 7-1 (2 overs) v Muckamore. Abandoned.
SECTION ONE
Gibson Park Avenue: Bangor 141-7 (20 overs, J Patterson 42, M English 41, C Burns 31; D Cooper 2-15, Ma Shannon 2-20, D McCormick 2-33) Cregagh 142-3 (15.3 overs, J Moore 65 not out, A Johnston 38; M Grossett 2-27). Cregagh won by 7 wickets.
WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP QUALFIER Third-fourth place play-off Dundee: Papua New Guinea 85-8 (20 overs, K Oala 35; E Richardson 3-9, K Garth 2-15) Ireland 86-2 (11.1 overs, K Garth 29, R Stokell 26 not out). Ireland Women won by 8 wickets.