Armagh v Saintfield @ The Mall 24/04/2010
Armagh stumble to home defeat in league opener.
Armagh’s return to Division One Section One of the Ulster Bank League got off to a disappointing start when they lost by six wickets to Saintfield. The two sides had been locked in the exciting title race in Section Two in 2009 when Armagh prevailed; but apart from the first and last ten overs of the game Saintfield dominated and were good value for their victory.
The start was a good one for Armagh with captain Gareth McCarter successfully winning the toss and choosing to bat, with Colin Russell and Dean Lester beginning the Armagh innings in fine fashion with some good strokes and running between the wickets as Armagh raced to forty within the first 8 overs. Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Armagh as numerous batsmen got off to a start but lost their wickets to a mixture of poor strokes, dubious decisions and of course some fine bowling by the visitors. Russell and Philip Doyle led the way, both scoring 24 while Michael Hoey deserves plenty of credit for his patient innings of 21 as Armagh sought to build a competitive total. Their final effort of 132 all out with more than five overs left unused was an underwhelming one and left the home side with a mountain to climb.
Regardless, Armagh took to the field undaunted and confident that they could make some inroads into the Saintfield batting and although Mark Stinson and Alan Whitcroft looked threatening with the new ball; a breakthrough was not forthcoming as Saintfield professional M. Ellison punished any wide or overpitched deliveries as he brought up a confident half century that contained ten boundaries. Whitcroft and David Bullick completed their ten over spells without the luck or success that their efforts deserved. Armagh did get the breakthrough when Michael Hoey entered the attack and removed Ellison and Boultwood in quick succession with successful lbw appeals. Mark Stinson came back into the attack replacing Bullick and clean bowled Harrison with a fine delivery. Saintfield now looked slightly shaky in pursuit of their small target but Ross Boultwood eased their nerves with some big hitting as the away side moved level. Armagh would have one further moment of success as Hoey grabbed a third wicket as McCavery edged a swinging delivery through to McCarter, but as the scores were tied at this stage victory was a formality with the final margin being by six wickets.
Afterwards, Armagh captain Gareth McCarter was naturally disappointed with the poor start to the campaign in losing at home. “We didn’t lose a league game at home last season and today we had first use of a good wicket on the Mall and didn’t really make the most of it. Our openers gave us a superb start but apart from that no-body but Philip Doyle and Michael Hoey knuckled down and were hard to get out. We realistically needed 170 plus to give us a shot. I’m pleased that we stuck at it in the field whenever the early wickets didn’t come; the boys fielded and bowled pretty well, especially young Michael who has really staked a claim for a place.”
Armagh will face another tough challenge this Saturday as they travel to Queensway to take on Derriaghy.
Armagh 132 all out. C. Russell 24, P.Doyle 24, M.Hoey 21. R.Boultwood 3-36.
Saintfield 136-4. M.Ellison 61, C.Boultwood 29. M.Hoey 3-19
Michael Hoey scored 21 and picked up 3 wickets
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