Derriaghy v Armagh @ Queensway 01/05/2010

Armagh suffer heavy away defeat at Derriaghy

The poor start of the season continued for Armagh as a great disciplined fielding effort was eventually wasted by a batting collapse that led to a comprehensive 100 run defeat at the hands of Lisburn side Derriaghy.

With some rain in the air and overhead conditions fairly murky, Armagh captain Gareth McCarter had no hesitation in inviting the home side to bat after winning the toss. Andrew Bratten and Harry Doyle returned to the line-up in place of the unavailable David Bullick and Michael Villiers, while last weeks star-man Michael Hoey had rugby commitments and was replaced by young Richard Morrison who was making his first team debut.

Armagh were keen to use the favourable conditions well with accurate bowling and tight fielding with runs generally at a premium, although any loose deliveries were being punished. Mark Stinson struck with the first two wickets, one being edged through to McCarter and the second a poorly-timed drive to Alan Whitcroft at mid-off who made no mistake. Whitcroft would strike the next blows in removing dangermen Kenny and Lewis who took on risky strokes and perished while doing so. Andrew Bratten had been bowling well without reward until he removed home skipper Jennings courtesy of another Whitcroft catch and then had Kinnin smartly caught on the boundary by Matthew Steenson. After Whitcroft had finished his strong spell of bowling, Matthew Brownlee assumed duties of bowling up the slope and did so well with unerring accuracy. Harry Doyle returned to finish off his spell without the reward that his efforts would have deserved but Mark Stinson did return to take a third wicket. The end to the innings came swiftly with Bratten swooping to run out Bailey and Brownlee picking two well deserved wickets as Derriaghy closed on 172, an effort that Armagh felt that they could be well pleased with.

That target looked a long way off after a disastrous first over for Armagh when both Colin Russell and Harry Doyle were taken out by the in-form Lewis who was building up a head of steam bursting down the steep hill at the Queensway ground. Immediately on the back foot, Armagh suffered further blows when Dean Lester, Philip Doyle and Andrew Bratten all fell in quick succession. Morrison was caught at mid-off trying to counter-attack and an injured Steenson was bowled going for a big hit. Luck certainly wasn’t on Armagh’s side when Whitcroft got out having played the ball onto his foot and watched it roll agonisingly onto the stumps. By this stage a fightback was certainly not likely and Stinson was next to be unfortunate when he was run out by a splendid direct hit from square leg. Last man Brownlee was clean bowled leaving Armagh exactly 100 runs short; with McCarter remaining unbeaten at the crease wondering exactly where it had all gone wrong.

McCarter commented “I thought that we had gone a great job in the field and with the ball to restrict them to 170 odd which should have been pretty gettable on a good wicket. All five bowlers were terrific and we held our chances in the field so that was half the battle that we could be pleased with. Hopefully not being too blunt but we were blown away when it was our turn to bat, I’m not sure if the slope at the ground was a factor but to be all out for 72 wasn’t really good enough. We are going to need to take a look at ourselves in the next week or so and then get ready for the game against Bangor on the 15th.”

Derriaghy 172 all out - Crookshanks 36*, Jennings 35. M.Stinson 3-33.

Armagh 72 all out – Hewitt 4-21, Lewis 3-31.

Derriaghy win by 100 runs.

With Armagh having a bye in the Senior Cup this weekend sees the 2nd XI taking centre stage with their season opener away to Portadown. The 3rd XI are playing at home with a tough looking fixture against Carrickfergus.