Under 17s

Colts Cup

Round One- Armagh v Woodvale Won

Round Two- Armagh V Laurelvale Won

Round Three - Armagh V Carrick Won

Round Four - Armagh V North Down Won

Colts Through In Cup

Armagh’s Colts Cup team moved into the third round of the NIACUS sponsored Colts Cup after a strong win against Laurelvale at the Mall on Friday night. The visitors from the Village chose to bat first upon winning the toss and started steadily against the bowling of Matthew Brownlee and Harry Doyle, but the bowlers found their rhythm to take a wicket a piece and remove the openers. Armagh’s change bowlers of Michael Hoey, Matthew Steenson and Andrew Hoey then bowled skilful spells of great control to restrict the Vale batsmen as well as picking up wickets steadily, with NCU under 13 star Andrew Hoey particularly impressive with his leg-spin bowling taking two wickets. Laurelvale’s final score of 79 for 6 wickets in their 25 overs looked below par, and so it proved as Armagh would win comfortably. Adam Breakey departed early to a high catch but then Steenson and Doyle were able to build a steady partnership with good shots and intelligent running between the wickets a feature. An attempted run too many proved costly though as Doyle was spectacularly run out by a direct hit from cover. Armagh would have no further setbacks though as Steenson and Michael Hoey comfortably took Armagh to the target to seal an 8 wicket win and safe passage towards the next round where a journey to Carrick awaits.

Armagh into Colts Semi final!

Armagh travelled to Carrick for the quarter final of the NCU Colts Cup, sponsored by the NIACUS. A superb bowling performance from Armagh saw them dismiss Carrick for a mere 63 with captain Matthew Brownlee leading the way with stunning figures of 5-7. However with a win surely on the cards the heavens opened and the match was abandoned at the interval; much to the disappointment of an Armagh team who had put in such a fine effort in the field in difficult conditions. The following week the game was replayed at the Royal School Armagh. Carrickfergus won the toss and invited Armagh to bat, perhaps weary of the way they had been bowled out in the abandoned fixture, but made a good start as Armagh lost Harry Boyd early on. However Matthew Steenson and Harry Doyle looked in good form as they settled Armagh nerves and started to build a steady partnership. When Armagh lost Doyle for a well made 30, the decision was made to promote Matthew Wright up the order as a pinch hitter to try and hurry along proceedings. This turned out to be a good decision as he hit a quick fire 24 not out, including two sixes, which along with Steenson’s 52 not out propelled Armagh to a score of 125/2 of their 20 overs, a decent score but certainly not an insurmountable one. Carrick started their chase briskly reaching 60 for the loss of just one wicket in 11 overs; with their 15 year old NCU player McClurkin making a gutsy 32. Armagh introduced their 12 year old leg-spin star Andy Hoey into the attack and he had McClurkin caught on the boundary in a crucial breakthrough. Armagh were always under pressure in the field and Carrick were always in the game, with some persistent drizzle making life difficult for everyone. Armagh knew that taking wickets was the key to success and skipper Brownlee introduced himself to pick up three wickets for 14 runs, however the pressure was still on and credit must go to Matthew Steenson who held his nerve to bowl two excellent overs at the end picking up 2 wickets for only 7 runs. Harry Doyle and Andy Hoey also picked up two wickets as Armagh ended up as comfortable winners by a margin of 22 runs.

Monday 3rd August - Colts Cup quarter final

Armagh 125/2 (20 overs; M Steenson 52*, H Doyle 30)

Carrickfergus 111 (19.5 overs; M Brownlee 3-14)

Armagh won by 14 runs

Armagh Knock-Out Yet Another Big Club To Reach Final

Armagh now faced a tough home game against North Down at home on Friday evening. Again Brownlee lost the toss and North Down asked Armagh to bat and again Armagh lost an opener early on in their innings as Adam Breakey perished attempting to hook a short delivery. Again it was Doyle and Steenson who set about re-building Armagh’s innings, both batted well mixing aggression, solid defence and strong running to keep Armagh well in the game. As the partnership grew, Armagh lost Steenson for 31 and again tried to use Matthew Wright as an attacking option however this time it did not pay off as he was bowled without scoring. It brought Michael Hoey to the crease where he stayed until the innings close. Doyle batted superbly having survived a shaky start and finished with an impressive score of 47 not out, while Hoey really stole the momentum with a brisk 34 not out, including a huge six from the final ball of the innings to lead Armagh to a score of 131/3. Armagh’s opening bowlers of Harry Doyle and Matthew Wright caused all sorts of problems but failed to find a break through. Skipper Brownlee threw the ball to Andy Hoey and once again the young man delivered, picking up the wicket of the North Down opener and finishing with figures of 2/18. Brownlee himself had a few overs picking up one wicket courtesy of a fine boundary catch from Doyle. Spin was then introduced at both ends with Duncan Steed bowling with real guile and determination finishing with figures of 3/12 from three overs as the North Down required rate grew steadily towards being extremely unlikely. Credit must go to the team’s fielding display given the difficult dull evening light as the innings progressed. To reach the final of the Union’s Premier underage event in the flagship Anniversary year of the Armagh club is a fine achievement and similar strong displays will see Armagh being a hard side to beat in the final, which will be held at a date and venue to be confirmed.