Under 15s win Graham Cup
WARINGSTOWN under 15s won the Graham Cup by defeating Holywood in the final at Carrick.
The villagers batted first and openers Ryan Dennison and Aaron Kennedy knew that they would face a stern task against NCU U15 inter-provincial bowlers Ross Adair and Mark Best.
The Waringstown pair looked assured and were just beginning to bat with some freedom after negotiating the initial Holywood threat but with the score on 41, Kennedy was caught for 20. Matthew Bell, batting for the first time this season at No.3, joined Dennison and the pair added 57 for the second wicket, in nine overs. Bell stroked his way to a tidy 17 before being dismissed.
Dennison was beginning to find his timing and the arrival of Andrew Mitchell saw the scoring rate increase before Dennison was caught and bowled by Adair for 38.
With nine overs remaining and 123 runs already on the board Waringstown were well placed. Josh Hall joined his NCU U15 partner Mitchell and the pair struck the ball hard and ran positively to help add 76 runs before Hall fell to the last ball of the innings. Hall made a well played 42 as the total reached 199 for five in 35 overs.
After tea, any thoughts Waringstown had that their opponents would be overawed by the target were quickly dispelled, as the boys from Seapark raced to 111 for one by the 16th over. Holywood captain Adair on 55 was literally leading his side from the front when he was deceived by a delivery from leg spinner Kennedy and was bowled.
The attack of off spinner Sam Matthews at one end and the leg spinner at the other, ably supported by some excellent fielding, continued for 14 overs applying a brake to the Holywood run chase, with each bowler picking up a vital wicket. Ben Carr continued to play his shots until he was bowled by Andrew Morgan, for 55, leaving the score on 166 for five.
So with 34 runs required to win in eight overs and five wickets in hand and the dangerous Best at the crease, Waringstown were in a dogfight. Tension was building but the young villagers displayed their mental toughness and self belief. Skipper Mitchell tossed the ball to off spinner Matthew Bell – a brave move at that stage of the game in the view of many observers – however Bell found his rhythm immediately and claimed two wickets for 14 runs in his three over spell to make it 181 for seven.
Opening bowler Hall was recalled for his last over and struck straight away to make it 182 for eight.
Bowling options were running out but the fielding captain showed faith in the younger of his two opening bowlers and with Best well set on 10 and 18 runs needed he called on Ryan Calvert who had 19 runs taken off his two overs at the beginning of the Holywood innings. This time however there was no repeat of the nervousness shown earlier and with the first ball of his return the 14 year old seam bowler removed Best with a perfect yorker – 182 for nine. Nine more runs were collected before Calvert, with the third ball of his next over clean bowled the final Holywood batsman to leave a winning margin of eight runs.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Lurgan
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
