CRICKET REVIEW: Hunter shines against Millpark but TCC fall to Cliftonville

Hunter’s brilliant score came off 138 balls against the NCU Section 2 basement boys on Saturday.

Half-centuries by James Jackson and Artie Campbell added to the County Down lads’ woes as they were defeated by 201 runs.

Hunter and Adam Clarke (13) got the innings off to a steady start with an opening partnership of 43, but the arrival of Jackson who hit 65 off 76 balls accelerated the scoring rate and advanced the score to 171 for 2.

The departure of skipper Ross Bryans for 4 brought together Hunter and Campbell who scored a whirlwind 50 off 56 deliveries. When both were out three deliveries apart the score was 323 for 5 in the 50th over, it was left to Jordi Fettis (one not-out) and Paddy Lutton (one not-out) to post an imposing total of 326 for 5.

After losing their first three wickets for only 13 runs, Millpark were never in the hunt but Ben Talbot (66) and David Glover (24) avoided even greater embarrassment to ensure that their total would struggle into three figures, but they lost their last four wickets for only nine runs to finish on 125 in 29.4 overs.

Jonny Ramsay was TCC’s most successful bowler with 4 for 6 off 5.4 overs, with support from Bryans (3 for 23 off eight), James Jackson (2 for 14 off three) and Michael Stewart (1 for 34 off five).

Millpark’s successful bowlers were R McCart (2 for 53), S McCart (1 for74), Glover (1 for 56) and Maxwell (1 for 55).The result leaves Millpark pointless, adrift at the foot of the table.

Templepatrick’s heroics were not repeated on Sunday when they crashed to Cliftonville who won by 101 runs.

Chasing 256, Ross Bryans’ lads were bowled out for 151. Artie Campbell top-scored with 42, while Phil Kernaghan (25) and Rhys Wallace (22) also made useful contributions.

The bowling honours were shared by Jordi Fettis (2 for 35), Kernaghan (2 for 36) and J Cowan (2 for 52).

The defeat dropped TCC in to the bottom half of the table, having won two of their five fixtures to date.

Peter Shepherd shone with bat and ball for TCC III in their first Junior League Section 7 win.

Laurelvale III scored 150 for 5 in their allotted 25 overs. Shepherd was the most economical bowler with 1 for 12 off five overs, with support from Michael Warwick and Ethan Crawford who took two apiece.

Shepherd anchored the reply with a steady 50, while David Caldwell kept the scorers busy with a rapid 25, before Adam Surgeoner took the total to a winning 154 for 4 in the final over with 25 not out.

Weekend fixtures: 1st XI v Cregagh, away; 2nd XI v Instonians III, home; 3rd XI v Saintfield III, away.