Enniskillen hosted their first home match of the season on Sunday last when they entertained Dunmurry in the latest game of their Northern Cricket Union Section 10 campaign.

It was unfortunately a difficult day for the home team as they went down to a 78-run defeat to an exceptional Dunmurry squad many of whom had been playing senior cricket the preceding year.

Although the margin of defeat seemed comprehensive it didn't truly reflect the game which for large periods was very competitive and as in all cricket matches turning points and fine margins largely dictated the final outcome of the game.

Enniskillen skipper Stephen Maxwell won the toss and decided to put the opposition into bat on an early season wicket which is notoriously unpredictable. 

Opening bowlers Bibin Matthew and Kenny Maxwell made a solid start and Maxwell made the breakthrough in his first over by bowling one of the openers.

The Dunmurry batsmen however were not deterred and continued to attack the bowlers with aggressive strokeplay.

The run rate whilst a healthy one was never completely out of control and Thuwan Puthra and Jaice Cherian bowled with pace and guile.

However, several crucial dropped chances in the field proved costly in the end although several other excellent catches were taken especially from Chris McVitty, a superb diving effort on the boundary.

Wickets continued to fall and when Paul Ramsay entered the fray he and Matthew cleaned up the tail very quickly.

Ramsay and Maxwell finished with three wickets each and there was two for Puthra and Cherian and Matthew finished with one apiece.

The final total of 174 was whilst challenging not insurmountable. 

After the tea interval, Enniskillen went in to bat.

Unfortunately during the opposition innings both Aby Theckanath and David Cadden picked up injuries which necessitated the batting order to be shuffled around with runners having to take to the field it added to the confusion as well.

The Dunmurry bowlers were very accurate and gave nothing away and all the batsmen struggled against their pace and variations.

Chris McVitty hit a quickfire 19 and Bibin John 22 as the home team were bowled out for 96.

A disappointing result but there were positives to take from it and the next match on Saturday at home to Victoria is that starting point.

Match summary 
Dunmurry 4s 
174 all out
P.Ramsay 3/3
K.Maxwell 3/50
T.Puthra 2/35

Enniskillen 
96 all out
B.John 22
C.McVitty 19

Dunmurry won by 78 runs.