North Fermanagh Cricket Club welcomed Enniskillen Cricket Club to Kesh on Sunday, hosting hopefully the first of many matches between the two clubs.

After the heavy rain of the previous week, credit must go to the ground’s team in preparing the pitch so well. Greg Piergrosse, NFCC Captain, once again, won the toss and opted to put the visitors in to bat. Kenny Maxwell (22) and David Cadden (1) opened the batting for Enniskillen facing the bowling of Timothy Beacom and Chris Faris.

The first over saw Beacom use his experience to restrict the batters and with sharp home-fielding the batting pair found it difficult to get any rhythm to their play.

In the second over Chris Faris bowled a perfect ball catching Cadden by surprise and sending him back to the clubhouse. With David’s dismissal, Stephen Maxwell (7) joined his father at the crease. The Maxwells worked well together and added runs to the score. Stephen was the next player to lose his bails from the bowling of Graeme Fitzpatrick - a straight delivery that cleared the middle stump.

Mick Lodge (5) was the next player to enter the field of play and after an initial barrage of fast balls from Scott Croft, he scored a wonderfully placed four; with a boundary drive that shows great promise for the Enniskillen men. Lodge was dismissed soon after, from the bowling of Greg Piergrosse.

Enniskillen lost the experienced head of Kenny Maxwell shortly after from the bowling of David Mills.

Mills was in great form with the ball and quickly gained the wickets of three more of the Enniskillen team. A good overall fielding display from all involved. Enniskillen completed their 25 overs with a total of 80 for 9.

North Fermanagh opened the batting with Chris Faris (29*) and Scott Croft (48*). Both moving up the batting order and revelling in the opportunity to face the new pink ball. The batters quickly got into their stride and placed the ball around the field scoring a flurry of boundaries.

The required target was reached efficiently with the loss of no wickets. An excellent day’s cricket from both teams with a fabulous display of camaraderie from all involved.

The North Fermanagh team travel to Strabane on Saturday for the penultimate game of the season looking to finish the season on a high.

Training continues Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm at the ground in Kesh. Anyone interested in participating are welcome to attend and give cricket a go, experience is not required, and all are very welcome.