Seconds beat the weather, but not the runaway leaders

Skipper Andy McCrea (right) won the toss he opted to take first knock, but his charges were dismissed for 62 in 26 overs.

McCrea (21) and Ben Lowry (10) were the only two home batsmen to get in to double figures and the much stronger Muckamore lads coasted home with eight wickets to spare.

Bowlers Rhys Wallace and Owen Hutchinson had a fine opening spell, with Wallace returning impressive figures of 4-1-8-1.

The only other wicket to fall was the result of a run-out, when young Lowry scored a direct hit on the stumps from mid-on.

“Muckamore came to Ballyclare with a 100 per cent record and they were too strong for our young side that included no fewer than eight lads from the Under-15s,” confirmed McCrea.

“However, the lads gained experience, and I was pleased with their enthusiasm, commitment and dedication,” he added.

A short distance away at The Cloughan the weather robbed Templepatrick of a possible win against Holywood.

Holywood clocked up 180 for 9 in their uninterrupted 50 overs, but the hosts had to run for shelter with the scoreboard showing 47 for 2 after 14 overs, and play was subsequently abandoned.

“We were in a healthy position, having been set a revised target of 130 in 43 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis ruling, and we strongly fancied our chances,” said skipper, Richard Greer.

Jordi Fettis returned the best bowling figures of 3 for 33, with support from Robert Smith (2 for 26), Phil Kernaghan (2 for 27) and Rhys Davies 1 for 24, with Artie Campbell’s sharp return to wicketkeeper Jay Hunter causing the run-out.

Meanwhile, Lurgan’s win against Cliftonville sent them to the top of the NCU Section 1 table, four points clear of Carrick, Cliftonville, Downpatrick and Templepatrick at the halfway stage. At the other end, bottom side Dundrum have yet to register a point.

Fixtures: 1st XI v Lurgan, away; 2nd XI v Woodvale II, home; 3rd XI v Lisburn IV, away (Sunday).