Waller top scores but Lisburn beaten

With rain threatening, the home side put Lisburn into bat and for 15 overs, the Lisburn openers Richard Simpson and Robert Rankin seemed in little difficulty on a soft slow pitch.

Rankin, short of form in recent matches showed more of his ability with some good shots while Simpson was content to occupy the crease.

The first wicket to fall was Richard when he was caught of the bowling of Martin for a patient 16 having seen the opening stand produce 62, the best start Lisburn have had for some time.

Unfortunately, Rankin, just when he was looking like compiling a high score, was also caught 5 overs later having managed 35 well organised runs leaving his team 73 for 2.

The in-form Adam Berry, Lisburn’s captain played his part for a number of overs with Lisburn professional Cody Chetty as they attempted to stabilise the innings but in the 28th with the score on 90 Chetty was given out lbw to the bowling of Carrick stalwart Ryan Eagleson, he had scored 10 and it was left to Berry and Steve Lazars to take up the challenge and reach a testing score for the home side to chase.

They set about the job with some positive cricket but when they had added just 10 more runs, Adam Berry was caught for 13 and with 30 overs gone Lisburn were 102 for 4 and struggling to record a challenging final tally.

Nathan Waller replaced Berry and with Steve Lazars prepared to take the attack to the Carrick bowlers the scoring rate increased adding 22 runs in the following 5 overs before Steve Lazars was caught by Eagleson after scoring a very rapid 29 which included two fours and two very large sixes.

Lazars left the wicket with the Lisburn score at 126 for 5, still far from competitive but Waller and Davey Simpson were intent on reaching the 200 mark and during the final 10 overs they added 70 precious runs with both batsmen taking advantage of some loose Carrick bowling as the pair put pressure on them in the closing stages of the innings.

Waller, after a slow start struck two sixes and two boundaries in his 37 while Simpson was far from slow contributing a crucial 36 not out.

Nathan Waller was caught with a few balls remaining in the Lisburn innings but the visitors had made a great effort in reaching 196 off their completed 50 overs and knew they had given the Carrick batsmen something to think about after the tea break.

With rain threatening for some time, Carrick began their chase of 197 but had a set-back when Parkhill was clean bowled by David Simpson for 8 with the Carrick score on 25 after 6 over, but opener Gilmour and Burton batted sensibly to add a further 44 for the second wicket without much trouble.

Lisburn were pleased to dismiss Burton in the 17th over when he was superbly caught by captain Adam Berry at cover for 14 and again Lisburn had got themselves into the match.

What happened next was hard to explain as Lisburn let the game slip away from them rapidly as their bowling became extremely undisciplined and the Carrick batmen quickly took advantage of the slackness.

Even after losing Gilmour for 49, bowled by Callum Atkinson, professional Botha and number four Holmes helped themselves to 125 runs off the next 20 overs to cruise to victory in just 29.5 overs and even with a rain break in between the flow of runs could not be stemmed.

The pair scored at over 6 runs per over as the Lisburn cricket became ever more sloppy and when they reached the 198 required for victory it was something of a relief for the disjointed Lisburn bowling attack and all round team effort.

Lisburn will have to raise themselves this Saturday when they entertain second placed Instonians to The Park.

Having suffered a sound defeat at Shaws Bridge already this season, they will have to regain their composure and get back to the winning formula they showed against Carrick, North Down and Civil Service/North.