Derriaghy CC on course for league title following Cliftonville win

The main hurdle they have to face now is Muckamore at home this Friday (21st) at 5pm in a rearranged T20 affair. A win here and success over Donaghcloney away on Saturday will see them needing just one further victory for promotion. The Cliftonville victory was achieved without too much difficulty although when the visitors were 140 for 2 it appeared they would be chasing a lot more than the 216 they eventually finished on. It was the spin bowlers who were the most successful on the day with Curtis Moorhead taking 3 for 22, Kaushik Aphale 3 for 25 and Wayne Hughes 2 for 41. In reply Matthew Ballantyne (35) and Adam Jamison (15) gave their side a solid start putting 60 on the board for the 1st wicket and after both men fell within the space of 2 overs Kaushik Aphale in tandem with Andy Kenny produced a 85 run partnership for the 3rd wicket and get within 55 runs of victory. Aphale hit 43 including 3 sixes before being dismissed while Kenny played the more patient role striking 62 not out and Craig Lewis weighed in with 23 as the total was passed with 8 overs to spare. The club Third XI ensured at least a share of the Junior 6 league title with a win at Ballymena on Saturday. Victory over Ards in their last game this weekend will give them the title outright. Ballymena were dismissed for 90 with Lewis Curry recording his best figures for the club taking 4 for 12 in 6 tidy overs. Zach Benson 2 for 19 and Ben Nelson 2 for 23 also produced good spells and Ben Kenny on debut captured his first wicket at this level. After losing Hugo Henderson for 8 it was captain Michael Fell in his now accustomed role as opener who remained unbeaten with 36. John Close hit a few lusty blows to finish on 38 not out and see their team through to a 9 wicket win. Unfortunately the Second XI have not endured an easy campaign and with away defeats at the weekend to Ballymena and Woodvale the trap door has opened for them and they will be playing in Junior 3 next season. Hopefully a few lessons have been learned during the year and they will bounce straight back. The youth side of the club continues to flourish and the Under 11 team captured their league title on Friday with a 7 wicket win over Donaghcloney. Several of the bowlers performed well in particularly Ben White who took 3 for 6 as Cloney were restricted to 77 for 7. Ben also starred with the bat hitting 30 not out and along with Matthew Halliday 24 seen their team through to a 7 wicket win. The Under 13 team are also through to the knock out stages of their league where they play Lurgan in the semi final this week. Following mid week wins over Waringstown and Lurgan the Under 15s are top of the Premier division and 2 more wins will see them crowned as champions. Following the sudden death of club under 11 player Bradley Logan on Friday there was a minute’s silence observed by the Derriaghy teams and opponents prior to their matches at the weekend. The under 11 team dedicated their league title win over Donaghcloney in memory of their former team mate. The club would also like to thank all those who have expressed their condolences to club officials.