On Sunday last Enniskillen Cricket Club hosted Ardent Blues 4s at the Erne Integrated College with a place in the semi-final of the NCU Development Cup up for grabs.
Unfortunately, it was to prove a very disappointing day for the local team as they went down to an agonising 11 runs defeat in a match which for long periods they were in control of.
Stephen Maxwell lost the toss and Ardent Blues decided to bat and initially were very much on top for the first eight overs and with the score a healthy 69/1 were no doubt hoping for a massive total.
However, the home team had other ideas and two excellent spells of bowling from Thuwan Puthra and Kenny Maxwell put them totally in control of affairs.
Puthra took 4/27 and Maxwell 4/11 backed up by superb catching and ground fielding with Darshan Nair taking two fine catches along with one each from Paul Ramsay and Aby Theckanath meant that Ardent Blues were bundled out for 110.
At the innings break Enniskillen were in the ascendancy and this continued with two good partnerships firstly between the skipper and Aby Theckanath (37) and then Theckanath and Maxwell Snr (28) had the home team only needing a further 46 to secure their place in the semis.
However, what happened then was scarcely believable and one of the twists and turns that this game can produce and from a position of relative comfort the local team found themselves bowled out for 99 and as a result exited the competition.
Absolute devastation after such a fine run in the cup to go out in this manner but credit to Ardent Blues for sticking at it and never giving up.
It was particularly hard to take as individuals had worked tirelessly during the week battling the elements to get the match played but tremendous credit must go to them for their efforts.
The club can be proud of their efforts in the cup this year in their first season in the NCU and now must focus their efforts on their Section 10 league campaign where they still have eight further games to play starting with BMA 2s this Saturday in Belfast.
Match Summary
Ardent Blues 4s 110 all out
K.Maxwell 4/11
T Puthra 4/27
Enniskillen 99 all out
A.Theckanath 28
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