Ballymena 2nd XI won the Intermediate Cup on Saturday after defeating the holders Donacloney Mill seconds in the Final at Laurelvale.
In a low scoring match the seconds, who have been on a fantastic run of form, not just in the cup but also in Junior league 3 , triumphed by seven wickets over their opponents from the higher Junior 2 league.
Winning the toss and deciding to bowl first was the obvious choice in a week that has been so wet and although the host club had worked wonders to keep the pitch dry, runs were hard to come by on a sluggish outfield.
No one in the Donacloney Mill side managed to get to twenty with Colin Hylands top scoring with 19 while Ballymena shared the wickets around with Ghazanfar Ali taking 2-11, Declan O’Boyle 2-21 and Calum Crease 2-5 and one each for skipper Paul Black, Harry Cook and Sam Henry.
‘Cloney Mill’s only hope was to take quick wickets and although Calum Crease was trapped lbw with the score at 14, a forty run partnership between Michael Caithness (28) and Jeff Martin (31*) ensured that there would be no slip ups as Ballymena eased their way to a seven wicket victory.
Massive congratulations to Paul Black and his team for what has been an outstanding cup run culminating in richly deserved success.
Donacloney Mill 2nd XI: 84 (31.5 overs: C Hylands 19; C Crease 2-5, G Ali 2-11, D O’Boyle 2-21)
Ballymena 2nd XI: 85/3 (29.2 overs: J Martin 31*, M Caithness 28)
Ballymena 2nd XI won by 7 wickets.
