1sts into Shield Final
Lurgan qualified for the Lagan Valley Steels Shield final in the fading light at Pollock Park on Monday night with an excellent 5 wicket victory over Dundrum in their semi-final clash. As the clock moved towards 9.15 it was Jack Hutchinson and Peter Maxwell who saw the home side over the line with just 3 balls to spare.
Dundrum started the game in aggressive fashion with openers Campbell and Martin rattling along at around 9/10 an over for the first 7 overs. It was Callum Grieve who got the breakthrough having Campbell caught by Stephen Johnston for 40 with the total on 74. Slowly the Lurgan bowlers started to play the town side back into the game and wickets started to fall at regular intervals with the run rate being pegged back during the 2nd half of the innings. Two excellent overs at the end of the Dundrum innings bowled by Iqbal Khan and Jack Maxwell conceded only 6 runs and with a lightning fast outfield, 147 to win was a total well within Lurgan’s grasp. Six wickets fell in the innings with Callum Gibson taking 2 for 25 off 4 overs, Callum Grieve 2 for 29 off 4, Peter Maxwell 1 for 28 off 4 and Iqbal Khan 1 for 29 off 4.
Lurgan’s reply had started well but with 21 on the board they lost skipper for the evening Stephen Johnston off the last ball of the 3rd over for 14. Jack Maxwell joined Callum Grieve at the crease and maintained the 7/8 run rate required with some excellent scoring shots. They had put on 56 for the 2nd wicket when Grieve advanced to a delivery off Shilliday only to be stumped by Hutley for 18. Callum Gibson hit a brisk 14 and then Jack Maxwell was bowled by Martin for an excellent 48, an innings that include 4 sixes. Jack Hutchinson and Derek Wilson took the score from 113 to 140 before Derek was stumped off Shilliday for 10, but by then Dundrum’s fate looked sealed as Jack Hutchinson (14no) and Peter Maxwell (4no) ran the winning single off the 3rd ball of the last over.
