Defeat to Donacloney

Donacloney completed a league double over Lurgan at Pollock Park on Saturday completing a 61 run win in a low scoring game.

Lurgan’s opening bowler Ollie McCollum got the Town side away to a tremendous start taking the wickets of Leckey and Little in the first over of the game. Andrew Bingham then chipped in with the wicket of Warren in his first over and Paul Stafford then took the wickets of professional Desai and Harland to leave the visitors struggling at 60 for 5 wickets and Lurgan were in a strong position. However a crucial 6th wicket partnership of 60 runs between Philip Derby and Mark Campbell brought Donacloney back into the match, both batting sensibly taking ones and twos and punishing the occasional bad ball. They were eventually dismissed off the bowling of Peter Maxwell, Campbell bowled for 30 and Derby caught by Derek Wilson at point for 39. A three wicket burst from Niranjan Godbole managed to curtail the Donacloney score to 140 all out in the 48th over. Godbole finished with 3 wkts for 28 off 9.2 overs while Paul Stafford also took 3 wkts for28 off 10, Ollie McCollum 2 for 11 off 5, Peter Maxwell 2 for 31 off 9 and Andrew Bingham 1 for 26 off 10.

It was a target that should have been well within the reach of the Lurgan batsmen…..but it was not to be. In the space of 8 overs, Lurgan had lost openers Stephen Johnston, Derek Wilson and Jack Harrison with only 15 runs on the board. It wasn’t to get any better with only Teddy Tully (36) offering any resistance as the Town batsmen gave their wickets away to some poor shot choices off some tight Donacloney bowling. No other batsmen hit double figures as Lurgan were eventually dismissed for a paltry 79 runs in the 34th over.

With 3 games to go Lurgan are still one win ahead of Saintfield who have 3 wins, and 2 wins ahead of Ballymena who are bottom with 2 wins. Next Saturday’s clash away to Ballymena is now Lurgan’s most crucial game of the season as the battle to avoid the Section 1 relegation places continues.

This game was kindly sponsored by Lurgan supporter William Mawhinney.

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