Enniskillen Cricket Club made a return to winning ways on Saturday as they continued their League Four campaign with a win away to Maghera 2s in Magherafelt after their cup defeat the previous week.

This time it was a win based on a very solid batting display by the top order which was then defended clinically by an excellent fielding and bowling display despite missing three strike bowlers.

Enniskillen captain Stephen Maxwell lost the toss but Maghera elected to put Enniskillen into bat on a pitch which had dried out superbly well despite the heavy rain for the preceding 48 hours.

Opening batsmen Kenny Maxwell and Aby Theckanath started well but in the third over suffered a setback when Maxwell played a poor shot and was caught at square leg for 2.

The batsman’s frustration was audible as he walked of although he ultimately didn’t need to worry as David Cadden joined Theckanath and between them they started to stroke the Maghera bowlers around the ground.

Theckanath was nearing his fourth half century in a row when he surprisingly got out for another well crafted 47 before skipper Maxwell then joined Cadden and the runs started to flow again.

Maxwell made a run a ball 25 before he got out trying to push things along. Enter Chris McVitty who at the end came in and brutally dismantled the bowling scoring 40 not out of only 14 balls including five huge sixes. Cadden remained unbeaten on 45 at the end anchoring the innings superbly and the total of 197/3 was the highest the town club have posted all year.

After the break, Maghera came out to bat and it was imperative that Enniskillen didn’t let them get off to a flier and makeshift opening bowlers Kenny Maxwell and Bibin John did exactly that only conceding 23 of the first six overs.

Aby Abraham continued the trend bowling six unchanged overs for only 27 runs and the run rate for the away team had climbed to almost 10 by drinks break.

After the drinks the Maghera batsmen had to take risks and as a result Chris McVitty picked up a wicket courtesy of a sharp catch by Abraham who then effected a smart run out. Skipper Maxwell in the unaccustomed role of bowler then picked up two crucial wickets including that of Maghera top scorer Mainwaring at the right moment. The introduction of Maxwell snr at the end then squeezed the Maghera batsmen who fell well short at the end by 33 runs.

Another super fielding performance backed this up and the local team achieved their fifth win on the bounce in the league to move back into the top six again.

An extremely satisfying win with individuals asked to step up to the plate and perform which they did brilliantly and confidence is high that the team can produce further victories before the league season ends.

Match summary

Enniskillen 197/3

A.Theckanath 47

D.Cadden 45no

C.Mcvitty 40no

S.Maxwell 25

Maghera 2s 164/5

C.Mainwaring 49

S.Maxwell 2/36

Enniskillen won by 33 runs