DOUBLE SUCCESS FOR STRABANE ACADEMY

Strabane Academy U13’s ran out convincing winners of the Slemish Cup, beating Foyle College by 70 runs, but not before Foyle opening batter Ben Campbell gave his side a real fighting chance.

A superb opening partnership between Ollie Britton (68*) and Alfie Moan (28), laid the platform for some IPL style fireworks as Roy McGerrigle entered the fray, making a rapid unbeaten 57 in a Strabane total of 169 for 1.

Campbell though had not read the script however and single handedly bludgeoned his team towards the 100-run mark, when Britton removed the danger man for a quite incredible 90 out of their team total of 99.

The U15 squad shared the Shirlow Cup with Wallace High School in a thrilling encounter at Muckamore. Winning the toss the Academy openers McClay and McClintock put the Lisburn school bowlers to the sword, sharing a 100 run partnership, with both players posting a half century. McClintock carried his bat to help post a commanding 164 for 2 in 25 overs.

However, the Wallace openers played their part posting a similar opening stand, aided by some indisciplined bowling and fielding. It all came down to the last ball of the final over. With two required the ball was drilled to Stevenson at long-on, who attacked the ball, picked up cleanly and released a pin point throw for McClay to affect the run out, leaving the scores tied. Though Strabane lost fewer wickets the cup was rightly shared, with cricket the real winner.