Maghera CC 2nd XI travelled down to Erne CC in Enniskillen for their 2nd league match of the season. With the weather set warm and sunny, the decision was to either bat first or bowl on the new pitch in Lower Celtic Park. This was the first competitive match to be played on the new surface and both teams wanted to look at how the pitch played. Erne won the toss and put in Maghera to bat.
The Maghera openers, McClay and Stevenson started the game well and gave a platform for the rest of the team to be positive with running singles and two’s. The opening stand of 33, allowed the aggressive Reid to come in and accelerate the run rate, making 42 with six 4’s. Despite losing wickets, Maghera kept the run rate high. In the 17th over, in came Andrews, for his first match for the 2nd team. Andrews first ball was hit for six on the leg side and this trend continued throughout his innings. A brilliant 50 off 27 balls extended Maghera total to 187, with Andrews hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Even with a big total to chase Erne’s batters started positively before they lost Hambly with a thigh strain. This brought Turner and McNalty together, who put together a 50 partnership, despite the good bowling of Stevenson and McClay’s opening stint. Captain Talbot, then turned to Baird, to continue with his bowling form from the last match against New Buildings CC. The change got the break through with the wicket of McNutley for 20. Baird, running up the hill at Lower Celtic Park, continued with his accuracy, and took 3 wickets for 24 runs off 6 overs, including the impressive opener Turner for 39 runs. Baird great spell opened up the Erne batting line up for the other bowlers to create pressure and cause the run rate to increase. Andrews and Marshall both took wickets to expose the tail, only Erne captain, Lodge, gave some resistance by finding the boundary on a number of occasions. Talbot, then decided to add something different to the attack. Tom, a debutant, span the ball with accuracy and took the prized wicket of Lodge with a great catch from Baird. This was the first senior wicket form Tom, and it capped off a great performance in the red and black colours of Maghera, Tom finishing 1 for 24. The home side were eventually bowled out in the 28th over of the match, finishing 150 all out, 37 runs short of Maghera’s total.
Maghera picked 20 points for their first win of the season. Captain Talbot stated that he pleased with the all round efforts of all the team. It was great to see that all players contributed to the victory and he looks forward to the next match, away to Killyclooney.
Written By Roger Talbot
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