There was disappointment for North Fermanagh 1st XI last weekend as they lost to Burndennett in the Division Three Cup Final.

Captain Graeme Fitzpatrick won the toss and opted to put his trust in his bowlers and field first. Chris Faris and David Mills started well and kept the opening Burndennett pair at bay.

Matty Morrison broke the initial pairing with an excellent catch from the bowling of Scott Croft. Burndennett continued to add runs until a flurry of wickets from Graeme, Greg Piergrosse and David Mills lifted the hopes of the Fermanagh supporters.

A stubborn partnership then entailed causing the fielders issues with wayward balls from shots and fielding errors running to the boundary.

The reintroduction of Mills towards the end of the innings saw further wickets fall. Burndennett eventually being bowled out for 159.

In reply, North Fermanagh started slowly with Faris and Smith having to deal with a strong Burndennett attack.

Unfortunately, after the loss of David’s wicket, a steady flow of wickets followed. Apart from David Mills, the rest of the batters struggled to score many runs.

As further wickets fell, North Fermanagh looked in danger of being well short of the target, but Kieran Shead and Gordon Fitzpatrick put on a valiant final partnership adding 30 runs to the total and getting North Fermanagh to 130 and just 29 runs behind at the end of day one.

On Sunday, the North Fermanagh team returned to Ardmore Cricket Club for the second day of the cup final against Burndennett, 29 runs behind, and looking for a big day out in the field.

Burndennett went into bat, and early in the second over David Mills struck with a crisp ball to take the wicket of B. Logue. B. McGettigan and M. Porter then put on an impressive batting display, with the North Fermanagh team struggling to deal with their boundary driving strokes.

Captain Graeme Fitzpatrick eventually broke the deadlock with the dismissal of McGettigan, clean bowling him with the first ball after the break.

Graeme picked up a further two wickets catching his third from his own bowling. M. Porter was eventually dismissed caught on the boundary by Matthew Morrison from the bowling of Greg Piergrosse. The final Burndennett wicket of the innings was a run out by Graeme with the final ball. Burndennett finishing on 169 for 6 from 30 overs.

With 199 target set it was going to be difficult, but North Fermanagh started positively with Chris Faris and David Smith working well together.

Faris was first to fall and David Mills came into bat. The Davids continued to add runs until Mills was caught deep in the field by M Porter from the bowling of Devine. New batter Usama soon followed Mills back to the clubhouse bringing Greg Piergrosse to the crease. After Smith was also caught on the boundary, Greg and Matthew Morrison put on an impressive few overs scoring a flurry of boundaries and runs. Morrison was the next to fall, bowled by J McCormick.

Graeme Fitzpatrick then put on a great display with the bat until he was dismissed lbw, a decision that surprised both teams. The ball appearing to catch him high in the hip, but deemed to be striking the wickets. Further wickets fell with North Fermanagh finishing on 100 all out from 23 overs.

A disappointing result, but a great weekend of cricket played between two great clubs.

After the game Burndennett were presented with the cup and North Fermanagh presented with the league champions trophy. A fitting end to a great cricketing season.