The senior side fields arguably the youngest team in Division 1 Section 3, while the three other adult teams are composed almost entirely of schoolboys.

Artie Campbell's side got off to the best possible start in their first match of the new campaign, with a whopping victory by 106 runs against North Down II, who had gone in to this first round Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup tie as firm favourites.

Unfortunately they were unable to keep the momentum going at the weekend, when their local derby against Academy had to be postponed, owing to the Hydepark lads being involved in a rearranged cup match in Dungannon.

On Saturday afternoon Templepatrick entertain Woodvale II, in the second round of the Junior Cup at The Cloughan.



SECONDS

It wasn't so good a start for Brian Scroggie's 2nd XI, when they lost their opening Division 2 fixture by seven wickets against Cregagh II at Gibson Park. The teenage batsmen failed to deliver, and it was opening pace bowler, Peter McDonald, who top scored with 21, in a disappointing all out total of 108 in 34.0 overs.

In reply Cregagh II reached 111 for the loss of three wickets in 25.4 overs, with Aaron Bartley and Peter McDonald each claiming one wicket.

THIRDS

The 3rd XI scraped home with one delivery to spare in an exciting finish in Downpatrick.

The home side posted an impressive 180 for 9 in their forty overs, but Peter Shepherd's young braves collected the Division 3 points with five wickets to spare.

Aaron Pyper (60 not out) and Willie Murray (21 not out) were the heroes, with an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 93. Ballyclare High School student Pyper's knock included an impressive seven boundaries, while Murray managed three.

The main wicket takers were: Josh Johnston 2 for 25, Ian Webber 2 for 35 and Aaron Pyper 2 for 33.

Commenting skipper Peter Shepherd said, "This was an excellent game of cricket with a very tense finish. Our teenage attack bowled quite well, and succeeded in taking wickets regularly. Nevertheless Downpatrick at their new ground set us quite a formidable target, but we managed a few useful partnerships that kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely, before Aaron Pyper and Willie Murray delivered the goods with that super sixth wicket match-winning stand.

"This was an encouraging start to the season with a side that included no fewer than nine teenagers," ended Peter.

Peter Shepherd has designed an impressive new web site www.templepatrickcc.co.uk and members are urged to use it to keep abreast of goings-on at The Cloughan.