A return to the Premier League beckons for Middle Road men

Jamie Holmes finishes the game with a flourish as Carrick beat Downpatrick on Sunday. Photo: Ian Johnston

After these two wins they are now virtually assured of promotion due to their vastly superior Net Run Rate over the only other remaining contenders Woodvale. Carrick are also sure of at least a share of the Section 1 league title, with a win on Saturday against Cliftonville in their final league fixture of the season (Middle Road, 11.30 am start) winning it outright.

On Saturday relegated Dundrum fielded an understrength team and could only muster 39 runs. Michael Gilmour and Jamie Holmes saw Carrick home to victory in only 16 balls, which must be some sort of a record.

On Sunday they met promotion rivals Downpatrick and put the visitors in to bat. Downpatrick started well with openers Patil and Mullan taking 32 runs off 9 overs, before Anthony Martin bowled Mullan for 12. He then captured the vital wicket of Indian pro Amit Patil, caught behind for 24.

Two further wickets saw them slump to 42 for 4. With the introduction of spinners Indrajeet Kamtekar and Ryan Eagleson, runs virtually dried up for a period. Wickets fell steadily and when Alex Haggan picked up the final two, they had reached a modest total of only 112 in 39.5 overs. Kamtekar’s miserly 10-over spell, which included six maidens, went for only four runs.

Openers Michael Gilmour and skipper Iain Parkhill started well for Carrick, taking 25 runs off the first four overs before Gilmour was stumped and Parkhill was bowled in the following over.

Teenager Jack Burton was joined by Jamie Holmes, and a series of boundaries from Holmes soon put Carrick firmly in control. In the end, the pair saw their side home to a very comfortable eight-wicket victory in only 17.4 overs. Holmes completed a fine 50 off only 34 balls and finished unbeaten on 65 with 13 fours and a six when Carrick overhauled the visitors’ total. Burton gave him fine support with 22 not-out, including two fours and a six.

To add to the Carrick club’s achievements, the 2nd XI secured at least a share of the Junior League 3 title with a victory at North Down on Saturday, while the club’s 4th XI were confirmed as Junior League 9 champions after results elsewhere. The Under-15s had already won their league Division 2 title, while the 3rd XI having completed their programme, are currently in a promotion place in Junior League 6 and are waiting to see if results elsewhere will go their way.