CRICKET: Opening day defeats for Templepatrick and Academy

In a low-scoring game at Laurelvale the hosts managed to win by five wickets having posted 137 for 5 in their 50 overs.

Jonny Ramsay was tops in the Templepatrick bowling department with 3 for 27, with support from Jackson (1 for 8), while there was one run-out by Mark Thompson.

Patrick Lutton and Artie Campbell opened the batting, but the first wicket fell on 15 when Lutton departed for 8. Campbell and Adam Clarke moved the score along to 38, before Campbell was clean bowled for 14.

A collapse followed with 38 for 2 becoming 43 for 4, with Clarke and Phil Kernaghan departing in quick succession, but that brought together James Jackson and Bryans who contributed a stand of 93, with Jackson hitting 66 off 68 balls, while Bryans kept pace with 40 off 35 balls.

This Saturday TCC they have their first home game of the season at The Cloughan against Belfast International Social Club (BISC) in the first round of the Junior Cup.

Academy CC

Despite scoring in excess of 200 at the Factory Ground, Academy were knocked out of the Challenge Cup at the first-round stage.

A second wicket stand of 67 between Stephen Cistern-Tate (33) and Mitchell Dickeson (47) laid the foundation for a healthy 205 in their allotted 50 overs, while Robert Hall chipped in with 30.

In reply, Donaghcloney knocked off the required runs for the loss of 5 wickets, taken by Chris Halliday (2 for 26), Cistern-Tate (2 for 47) and Michael Wilson (1 for 29), while Dickeson contributed a run-out with a neat return to wicket-keeper Matthew Palmer,

In their second season in Section 1 the Mallusk lads will be without influential New Zealanders Andre Halbert and Mitchell Atkins, who have returned down under. They formed a formidable opening partnership and skipper Palmer will find it difficult to replace their runs at the top of the order.

On May Bank Holiday ACC were scheduled to open their Section 1 programme hosting Ballymena, while on Saturday they will be off to Bangor.