3rds Reports 2008

Armagh V Carrick 7/06/08

     Armagh thirds once again came up short against an undefeated Carrick side on a sunny afternoon on the Mall on Saturday.After winning the toss the stand in skipper Peter Hazelton inserted Carrick on a hard wicket and the decision early on looked correct Armagh’s bowlers quickly reduced their visitors to 19-4.Matty Wright was the first to strike having Ritchie caught behind by Smyth it was then Alan Stoops show as he took three quick wickets in the space of seven balls which included a caught and bowled and a smart catch from Hazelton.With the score on 28 Armagh again let the opposition of the hook dropping McClurkin on 10, this went on to prove crucial as the youngest made a match-winning 70.The score of 188 would have been a lot greater if not for the sublime bowling performance from the evergreen Keith Wilson who with his remodelled action was at times unplayable and returned figures of 3-32 from his allocated 7 Overs, this included an excellent stumping from Smyth.Sean Collyer wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Shimmon.In reply Armagh started poorly loosing the early wickets of McCarter, Collyer, Singery, Elliott and Smyth mostly to the leg spin of McAllister and at 63-6 looked to be totally out of the game with only the experienced Peter Hazelton 39 applying himself to the situation.Peter again looked in great touch and will rue the square cut that has led to his downfall several times this season after hitting two massive sixes and five fours.Armagh however were not finished and an excellent 28 from Ricky Dobbs and an explosive 33 from hard hitting Davy Nickolson set up an exciting finish.All rounder Alan Stoops then hit a breezy 16 not out including a huge six that landed on the firsts wicket but when Matty Wright lost his off stump Armagh found them selves 26 short.