Thirds Frustrated

It was a frustrating day at the office as injuries, missed chances and poor umpiring decisions all contributed to a 32 run home defeat at the hands of North Down.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat on a good wicket and fast outfield and while they were scoring quickly they were also loosing regular wickets. The Ballymena bowlers were getting increasingly frustrated as balls dropped just short of fielders or landed just over their heads but what made matters worse was the turning down of no fewer than 5 very clear LBW decisions. One of those was against J Napier while he was still in single figures but his team mate, the umpire, gave him not out. He went on to score 108no in a total of 228. Paul Campbell was again the pick of the home bowlers taking 3 for 22.

The Ballymena Reply got off to a bright start with skipper Lytle smashing 16 off the first over but in the fourth over his fellow opener McNeill was caught with Matthew Dick clean bowled the next ball. Lytle and Dean Gordon added 55 for the next wicket before Gordon was caught behind. Lytle was finally dismissed for 60 but some fine hitting from Nicholl, Craig, Whitehurst and McBurney kept them in the hunt. Wickets were falling too often and with leading batsman Paul Campbell unable to bat due to injury, the total of 229 was just too much and Ballymena were dismissed for 197.

Next Week the 3rds are away to Derriaghy in the quarter final of the Minor Cup