This Division 1 Section 3 encounter was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday evenings, but when the city side was bundled out in twenty-five overs, the match was completed at the first attempt.

After deciding to take first use of the wicket in Ballyclare, Cooke Collegians were all out for only 70, against some aggressive home bowling. James Jackson spearheaded the attack, and during his eight overs' stint he returned figures of 3 for 22. He made the initial breakthrough in his second over, and followed up by dismissing two more front line hitters.

Fifteen year old pace bowler Simon Beattie played his part with 2 for 20, before spinner Keith Wilson demolished the lower middle order with 3 for 10. Left arm spinner Robert Smith however had a one hundred per cent strike rate, when he took a wicket with the only ball he delivered!

Wicket-keeper Colin Morrow was the undisputed Man of the Match. He snapped up two sharp stumping opportunities off the bowling of Keith Wilson, held a stunning low catch off James Jackson, and then shared in a match-winning opening half century partnership with Ricky Greer.

Any faint hopes of a Cooke Collegians fight back were dispelled by that first wicket stand of exactly fifty, but Colin Morrow (20) and Ricky Greer (24) then both fell in quick succession, reducing Templepatrick to 55 for 2.

That brought together Gareth Anderson (9 not out) and skipper Artie Campbell (12 not out) who took the home side to 74 for 2, for a comprehensive win by eight wickets, with Artie sealing victory with a final boundary.

Commenting Artie said, "Going in to the second half of our league programme we can now be considered as serious promotion candidates. In terms of points lost we are in pole position. Leaders Larne have lost 14, while we have lost only eight, but with ten fixtures to fulfil it is rather early to talk about promotion.

"I was obviously very pleased with the performance against Cooke Collegians. James Jackson was in superb bowling form, and those three early wickets ripped the heart out of their batting line-up. He had excellent support from the other end from teenagers Simon Beattie and Gareth Boyd, and the pacemen had us well on the way to victory before Keith Wilson came on to take three wickets with his spinners.

"Robert Smith got a late opportunity to shine, and brought the Cooke Collegians innings to a swift close by taking a wicket with his one and only delivery.

"Colin Morrow replaced Ricky Greer behind the stumps for this game, and signalled his return as glove-man with two neat stumpings, and a brilliant diving catch. Our fielding was of a high standard as usual, so overall this was a very pleasing night's work," concluded Artie.