Colts Winners 2009

Armagh win the 2009 NIACUS Colts Cup.

Armagh triumphed over Muckamore by the convincing margin of 6 wickets on Bank Holiday Monday in the long awaited rain-delayed final of the Colts Cup at Laurelvale against highly fancied Muckamore. However, after conquering three Premier League sides and being superbly prepared in the build up to the final, Armagh were confident of their chances on the day. Captain Matthew Brownlee had led from the front throughout the campaign and he had no hesitation to invite Muckamore to bat after he had won the toss. It proved to be an inspired decision as Harry Doyle bowled a terrific spell of seam bowling, removing Muckamore’s three star players of Drummond, Van der Merwe and Mairs, aided by two catches behind the stumps from Adam Breakey. Only a classy and determined knock of 56 not out from Gary Nicholl enabled Muckamore to recover towards a defendable total, despite good bowling in the middle overs from Brownlee, Matthew Wright and Michael Hoey. Hoey in particular had been proving difficult to get away but he finished his spell in spectacular fashion with a wonderful hat-trick from his final three deliveries to finish with 3 for 13 from 7 overs. A resolute last wicket stand enabled Muckamore to make a total of 110 all out from 35 overs before Brownlee returned to take the final wicket and end with 3 wickets for 31 runs. As well as bowling well throughout, Armagh had put in a commanding performance in the field with good catches being held by Breakey, Duncan Steed and Harry Boyd. Harry Doyle had also contributed with a superb run out and with runs difficult to come by, Muckamore struggled for answers.

Armagh openers Matthew Steenson and Harry Boyd set out in confident fashion against an extremely capable Muckamore bowling attack, with the former unfortunate to be dismissed caught behind when it initially appeared to have brushed his jersey. The two quick wickets of Boyd and Harry Doyle left Armagh wobbling at 36 for 3 after both had batted patiently for eleven runs each but fell trying to up the run rate. Fortunately for Armagh they had plenty of batting resources to come and a pair of wonderfully assured innings from Michael Hoey and Richard Morrison took Armagh to the brink of success. The two talented youngsters rotated the strike well as Muckamore were unable to build the same kind of pressure that had been so crucial for Armagh. McCullough bowled Hoey to give Muckamore hope, but there would be no further success for the Antrim outfit as Armagh cruised to a six wicket win with more than 6 overs remaining. Morrison ended the match with a terrific straight drive for four to finish 40 not out.

After congratulations from President of the Northern Cricket Union Dr Murray Power; Armagh captain Matthew Brownlee collected the 2009 Colts Cup from NIACUS President Peter Lunney to seal a wonderful win and a belated triumph to add to Armagh CC’s 150th Anniversary Summer.

2009 Colts Cup Final, sponsored by NIACUS.

Laurelvale, Monday 3rd May 2010.

Muckamore 110 all out. G.Elliott 56*, M.Hoey 3-13, H.Doyle 3-20, M.Brownlee 3-31.

Armagh 113-4. R.Morrison 40*, M.Hoey 23.

Armagh win by 6 wickets.