Carrick lose first league match

The visitors won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Carrick to bat first on a slow, rain-affected wicket. Run-scoring proved difficult and with the assistance of three superb catches, Carrick were reduced to 43 for four after 15 overs and were in deep trouble.

Ryan Eagleson and skipper Iain Parkhill then began to rebuild the innings with a stubborn partnership that saw them add a further 47 runs in 25 overs, to take the score along to 90 with 10 overs remaining, before both were dismissed in successive overs. Richard Hood, on his debut and Stephen Grant added a further 24 runs.

When the final Carrick wicket fell to the final ball of their 50 overs, they had reached a modest total of 127, the innings containing just four boundaries.

Observers felt that this was maybe 20 to 30 runs short of a competitive total, and they were to be proved correct.

After Eagleson picked up an early wicket, Tate and skipper Magowan batted sensibly and saw the 50 up for their side in the 19th over. Shortly afterwards Tate became Carrick’s new overseas player Louis Delport’s first victim when he was caught at cover for 27. Magowan continued on, hitting the only two sixes of the day, as Downpatrick moved on to 94 for two after 29 overs.

It was not until Alex Haggan was introduced into the attack that Carrick took the first of three catches behind by wicketkeeper Mikey Taiaroa, for an excellent 46 runs.

The Haggan-Taiaroa combination accounted for Smith and South African Adams. And when Eagleson, who conceded only 11 runs in his 10 overs, had Ringland caught and bowled without scoring, Downpatrick had slipped to 104 for six, and it was game on.

But, 15 overs remained and Rea and Mullan got their heads down and grafted out 22 runs in 11 overs before Mullan became Haggan’s fourth victim.

They got home to victory without further loss in the 48th over to secure what could be a vital win as the season unfolds.

Carrickfergus 127 (50 overs; R Eagleson 24, J Rea 4-20)

Downpatrick 131/7 (47.3 overs; J Magowan 46, P Tate 27, A Haggan 4-23, R Eagleson 2-11)

This weekend Carrick have two home matches at Middle Road. On Saturday they host Cork County in the first round of the RSA Irish Senior Cup (12.30 pm), while on Sunday they are at home to Co. Donegal side St Johnston in the opening round of the Ulster Shield (1pm).

Congratulations are due to Carrick’s Irish-qualified New Zealander, batsman / wicketkeeper Mikey Taiaroa, who was selected for the Northern Knights in the first match of Cricket Ireland’s new interprovincial series against Leinster Lightning this week.