Third XI record victory at Armagh

Having been put in to bat, Anthony Frazer drove the second ball of the match straight to mid off but this poor start was soon forgotten as James McClean and James Russell forged a useful 70 run partnership.

McClean turned the strike over well and was starting to find the boundary when he was bowled for 19 by a good leg break with the score on 70 from 12 overs.

Russell had knocked ones and 2s for a period but began to accelerate again with 3 boundaries in quick succession, moving onto 70 with 10 overs of the 30 left. He looked well set for a century but was bowled by an off-break that did not bounce with the score on 107. With Russell’s departure Jack Archer began to score more quickly and he was well supported by John Glass. The last 10 overs yielded 60 runs, with several Archer boundaries. He was caught on 42 in the last over looking to get the total as high as possible. John Glass finished 12 not out, with Ballymena’s total a solid 164 for 5 off 30 overs.

Ballymena’s defence of this total started well with a wicket off the first ball and 4 wickets in the first 7 overs bowled by Frazer and Declan O’Boyle to leave Armagh struggling at 27 for four.

Ballymena’s change bowlers Jack Archer and Sam Glass bowled tightly to restrict Armagh as the required rate rose above seven per over.

Armagh reached the 22nd over 80 for 8 with little chance of victory. They put on a good partnership of 46 from here but Ballymena bowlers Owen Dick, John Glass, Declan O’Boyle and Conor O’Neill put the ball in good areas and denied Armagh the regular boundaries they needed.

Armagh finished 38 runs short of the target, with their captain unbeaten on 46 not out. Frazer took 3 for 10 in 6 overs. The win leaves Ballymena well placed on 4 league wins out of 5 ahead of their next match versus Cliftonville.