June News

Same Again From Armagh

Armagh had another terrific victory on Sunday when the visitors from Drumaness were put to the sword by the Armagh bowling attack. Seamus Crowe took the place of Reg Stinson for the second fixture of the weekend and no-one was surprised to see the away side choose to bat after winning the toss. Full report

Armagh Hammer Cregagh

Armagh built on their superb victory at Saintfield last Sunday with two comprehensive wins on the Mall with ten wicket wins against Cregagh and Drumaness respectively.

Saturday’s game against Cregagh saw Armagh make two changes to the team that beat Saintfield with Reg Stinson and Philip Doyle coming into the side for Andrew Bratten and Lloyd Hamilton who was unavailable with work commitments. Full report

Seconds Losing Streak Continues

On Saturday Armagh’s second eleven travelled to newly promoted side Cregagh in what turned out to be a rain hit 40 over game played in wintery conditions. Armagh captain Ricky Dobbs won the toss and decided to bat with Lloyd Hamilton and Duncan Steed opening the batting for Armagh. Unfortunately the innings got off to the worst possible start when both where dismissed in the second over. This brought

Armagh Deflated By Templepatrick

Armagh suffered a surprise and disappointing loss at Templepatrick on Saturday as a good bowling and fielding display was not backed up with the bat. Lloyd Hamilton returned to the side having missed the league win at Donacloney but Armagh were otherwise unchanged. After a delayed start Armagh captain CP Kulkarni won the toss and elected to field on a pitch at Ballyclare Rugby Club’s Cloughan ground that looked good despite the frequent heavy showers. More

Super Chase Sees Armagh Victorious

Armagh hit back from their disappointing Saturday reverse at Templepatrick to claim a thrilling win over league favourites Saintfield at their picturesque Demesne ground in a game that went the full distance on a splendid Sunday afternoon. Armagh saw one change from the Saturday loss with the veteran Reg Stinson unable to play two games in successive days so his place went to young batsman Matthew Steenson. More

Academy Matched Abandonded

Armagh were left frustrated again by the inclement weather as their Saturday match against Academy was farcically abandoned despite conditions being surely suitable for play given that the game had started in similar light drizzle. Armagh had made numerous changes from the previous weekend, with Colin Russell and Stuart Lester returning in place of Matt Steenson and the unavailable Seamus Crowe with the side having a strong seam bowling attack. After the early morning drizzle the umpires had not been happy to start the game which wasn’t a problem with the pitch covered. Given that the rain was not at all heavy, both captains sought the officials and pleaded to allow a start to play. They agreed and Academy won the toss and elected that they would bat.

The game started with Stinson and Kulkarni each bowling a tight over with Academy stout in defence but after the end of the second over umpire McKinley bizarrely decided that the drizzle was too heavy for play and that the players would have to leave the field; despite batsmen, bowlers and fielders all stating their desire to continue. Even though the pitch was covered, the game was abandoned to the disappointment of the Armagh players.

Captain Charu Kulkarni commented that “the umpires made a very strange call today. Before the start I was told that the captains could decide but then after two overs the umpire took us off because he thought no-one was enjoying the cricket. The pitch was fine and the square was firm and it certainly didn’t seem like dangerous conditions so we aren’t too happy to have another re-arranged game to deal with. However, we have to get on with it and look towards a massive weekend coming up with away games to the top teams in the league.”

Armagh do have to look forward towards a tough weekend with away games to an exciting Templepatrick team and league favourites Saintfield. Both games will surely provide a tough test of Armagh’s credentials to challenge at the top of the division but with a strong team expected for both matches they will hopefully stand up to the challenge. Both away fixtures begin at 1pm.

Armagh Bow Out In Graham Cup

Armagh lost their Graham Cup tie to Ballymena on Friday night after a disappointing batting performance left them with far toomuch to do in the field. Batting first; Armagh flopped to 56 all out, a fair effort after they had been decimated to 13-5 after a mixture of poor batting and accurate bowling. Some lusty hitting from Matthew Clarke aided by Samuel Wilson and the Wright twins saved some respectability for Armagh but their target was a small one. The home side were left to regret their sorry batting effort as Sean McCord’s fiery bowling spell gave them a brief chance in the game as he ran through the Ballymena side to claim 5-10 and make the game a much closer contest. With another twenty runs they may have had a chance to progress.

Armagh have plenty of matches coming up at all youth levels, with players wanted at under 11, under 13 and under 15 levels. Contact George Breakey for more details on matches and practice.

Golf Classic This Friday

The Tyrone Crystal sponsored City of Armagh Cricket Club 150th Anniversary Golf Classic tees off this Friday at Loughgall Country Park with a large field of local golfers expected to pit their wits against the picturesque local course followed by dinner and presentations in the Cricket Club Pavilion back in the City. Limited places may still be available to play on the day, so contact Lloyd Hamilton on 07921350819 for further details.

ARMAGH CRICKET CLUB 150 NOT OUT

Clarence Hiles writes about Armagh Cricket Club.

If you haven't played cricket at the Mall in Armagh, then your cricket CV will never be complete! Arguably one of the most beautiful settings for a cricket game anywhere in the world, the Mall was the birthplace of cricket in the cathedral city some years before the local club was founded in 1859. Games were mostly played against local schools, and neighbouring towns in the early years, and the close connection between the club and Royal School Armagh was nurtured and gradually became a sporting marriage of huge mutual benefit to both parties. Full article

Mixed fortunes for Armagh on glorious weekend

Armagh finally got their Ulster Bank Division One Section Two league campaign off to the best possible start on Saturday at Donacloney when they came away victorious by 7 wickets. Premier League pacesetters Lisburn proved an entirely different proposition on Sunday on the sun-drenched Mall as they romped to a ten wicket victory. Both reports can be found via the reports section.

Clubrooms available for hire

The cricket club clubrooms are available for hire at super prices. Birthday parties, open days,dance classes, coffee mornings, you name it, we cater for. A kitchen and bar are also included with the big room. Contact Keith Wilson on 07787115160 for more information or to book.

Mixed fortunes for Armagh on glorious weekend

Gallery Updated

Pictures of the 1sts game V Lisburn can be found in the gallery.

Stats Updated

The 1sts stats up to and including the Donacloney game can be found via the stats link.

Clubrooms available for hire