Enniskillen Cricket Club had a double header of fixtures last weekend and ultimately came up short in both matches, losing to North Down 4s at home before falling to league leaders Dunmurry.
Facing North Down 4s at the Erne Integrated College Enniskillen were in another potentially winning position but ultimately came up short by the margin of 29 runs.
North Down won the toss and elected to bat in very pleasant conditions overhead although the pitch and outfield itself was quite on the soft side due to the inclement weather that yet again club members had to battle against to prepare the wicket during the week and a testament to those who managed to get the pitch playable yet again.
Enniskillen took an early wicket and initially seemed very much in control of affairs but the North Down batsmen bided their time and began to become more aggressive and push the score along.
Once again however the home team fought back and good bowling from Jaice Cherian (4/27) backed up by the other bowlers Darshan Nair, Kenny Maxwell and Thuwan Puthra meant that eventually North Down were bowled out for 149.
Cherian was the stand out bowler but Nair and Maxwell took two wickets each and Puthra one and along with some fantastic catches especially one close in from Aby Theckanath meant the home team were in the game at the innings break, the score of 149 being around a par score on this wicket.
Yet again Enniskillen got off to a reasonable start with Theckanath and skipper Stephen Maxwell but when both departed and with the score at 53/2 with time and wickets to spare the home team again inexplicably folded in familiar fashion.
Darshan Nair hit a bright 22 and Cherian 14 at the end of the innings but too many batsmen got in and then got out unnecessarily when some were set.
Eventually Enniskillen finished on 120 all out a disappointing end to yet another match which had promised so much more at the mid-point.
The team barely had time to deal with the disappointment as the journey to Fullerton Park in Dunmurry the next day to take on the runaway league leaders was a daunting prospect.
Winning the toss and deciding to bat the local lads struggling to 67/8 in the allocated 20 overs against a Dunmurry bowling attack which showed why it had been dismantling teams all season.
Kenny Maxwell and Darshan Nair top scored with 13 apiece but the wicket was quite difficult to bat on and unlike the previous day batsmen didn’t throw their wickets away with indifferent shot selection.
After the break Enniskillen came out to field and opening bowlers Devin Carrihill and Thuwan Puthra took the attack to the Dunmurry batsmen both bowling at a rapid pace and swinging the ball as well.
Carrihill took a wicket first over and he and Puthra bowled the first eight overs unchanged with captain Stephen Maxwell being very aggressive in his field placing to exert maximum pressure on the batsmen.
Darshan Nair and Kenny Maxwell came into the attack and Nair took three wickets and Maxwell one and suddenly Dunmurry were 50/5 and in a bit of trouble but try as they might the local lads couldn’t get another breakthrough despite their best efforts and Dunmurry eventually reached their target with just over three overs to spare.
Enniskillen will take some consolation from the fielding and catching performance against Dunmurry and will hope to turn their season around with five more league matches to come starting with their cup conquerors Ardent Blues at home this Sunday.
Match summaries
Enniskillen vs North Down 4s
North Down 149 J.Cherian 4/27 D.Nair 2/35 K.Maxwell 2/47
Enniskillen 120 A.Theckanath 23 D.Nair 22 S.Maxwell 14 J.Cherian 14
North Down won by 29 runs
Dunmurry 4s vs Enniskillen
Enniskillen 67/8 K.Maxwell 13 D.Nair 13
Dunmurry 4s 72/5 D.Nair 3/19
Dunmurry won by 5 wickets
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