Lurgan Cricket Club

Lurgan Ladies lost their first league game of the season today to local rivals Waringstown at the Lawn by 6 wickets. Sophie Hinds top scored again with 33 and there were runs for Emma McMurray (24) and Sarah McCallen (18) as Lurgan scored 107 for 3 wkts. In reply it was Charlotte Lyons who dominated the batting for the villagers hitting 34 as they passed the Lurgan total in the 17th over to clinch the points. Chloe Neville was the pick of the Lurgan bowlers taking 2 wkts for 25 while there was a wicket each for Emma McMurray (1 for 14 ) and Cara Rainey (1 for 34).

The 1st XI produced their best all round performance of the season at Laurelvale today to win by 7 wickets in the Robinson Rose Bowl tournament. A 3rd wicket partnership of 81 between Stephen Johnston and Jack Maxwell saw the visitors home with 17 balls to spare.
Laurelvale batted first and posted a total of 120 for 8 wkts in their 20 overs. Callum Gibson followed up his excellent performance with the bat last week with a decisive bowling performance this week taking 3 wkts for 23 runs in his 4 overs. Jack Maxwell took 2 for 21 and Iqbal Khan 2 for 37 in their alloted overs. Junior Nelson conceded 27 runs in 4 overs  while Peter Maxwell bowled very tightly conceding just 10 runs.
In contrast to the last time the teams met at Pollock Park, Lurgan were well on top of the scoring rate right from the first over. This was largely due to a superb innings from opener Stephen Johnston whose innings of 76 contained 3 sixes and 5 fours. There was some excellent running between the wickets with Jack Maxwell who, following Johnston’s dismissal, hit the winning runs to finish on 25 not out with Callum Gibson on 6no (a maximum over the wall onto the adjacent road) at the other end.

Stephen Johnston on his way to 76 at Laurelvale today (Photo by Paul Irwin)

Jack Maxwell batting at Laurelvale today (Photo by Paul Irwin)

The 2nd XI did not have a league game today but lost a friendly to Donacloney by 40 runs at Pollock Park

Lurgan Ladies qualified for the semi-final of the Senior Cup with a 67 run win at Carrickfergus today. The visitors batted first and it was Sophie Hinds who dominated with the bat scoring 32. Opener Emma McMurray scored 16 and a 5th wicket partnership between Sophie Orr (16no) and Chloe Neville (11no) meant a formidable total of 119 for 4 was set by Lurgan at the end of 20 overs.
In reply the Carrick girls never posed a threat to the Lurgan total with all five of the Lurgan bowlers being very economical in bowling the home side out for 52 in the 18th over. The wickets were shared around with Sophie Orr taking 3 wkts for only 11 runs in her 4 overs, Cara Rainey 2 for 11 off 3.5, Sam Todd claimed 2 wkts for 8 off 3 and Emma McMurray bowled 2 maidens in her 3 overs conceding only 7 while Chloe Neville conceded only 9 runs in 4 overs.

The successful Lurgan Ladies team pictured at Carrick today

The 1stXI made their first competitive appearance at Lurgan Park for 40 years and it proved a successful return as they beat Victoria by 48 runs in the Twenty/20 Robinson Rose Bowl competition.

Lurgan batted first and at one stage looked in trouble at 39 for 5 wkts when Callum Gibson took control of the innings. The all-rounder hit 6 sixes in an undefeated innings of 59 as Lurgan scored 108 for 6 wkts in their 20 overs. With the outfield grass long it proved to be a respectable total and only during a brief innings of 22 that included 3 sixes by Victoria’s Babin did the Lurgan total seem threatened. The home side were bowled out in the 15th over for 60 with Iqbal Khan the pick of the Lurgan bowlers taking 4 wkts for 8 runs in 2.1 overs. Peter Maxwell had 2 for 5 in 3 overs and Junior Nelson 2 for 19 while there was a wicket each for Callum Gibson and Jack Maxwell.

Callum Gibson who was undefeated with 59 at Victoria today

Meanwhile the 2nds lost to Victoria 2nds by 5 wkts off the penultimate ball of their match at Pollock Park. Lurgan had scored 112 for 6 in 20 overs with Callum Grieve scoring 28 and Mark McShane 26 not out. The home side seemed to be on their way to a win but some poor bowling in the second half of the innings along with some big hitting from Victoria’s middle order snatched victory for the visitors.