Lisburn CC will be holding a 4 week summer programme for kids aged 7-13. Whether you are new to cricket or have played at school or at the club there will be something for everyone in the sessions that will commence on Monday 24th July.

Each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday we will have a 2 hour session from 2-4pm led by club professional Gionne Koopman assisted by other club coaches. We will have hard ball tutorials, soft ball cricket, plenty of games and most importantly, lots of fun.

The scheme will be on a pay as you go basis. We know kids have holidays, other sports camps and other things to do over the summer period so you can come and go as you please. At just £5 payable each time you attend, the sessions will be as good a value for money offering you will find for a summer camp in the Lisburn area.

To register interest please email the club at lisburncricketclub@gmail.com or simply come along for any of the sessions starting on Monday 24 July.

Dates as follows

Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Thursday 27 July
Monday 31 July, Tuesday 1 August and Thursday 2 August
Monday 7 August, Tuesday 8 August and Thursday 10 August
Monday 14 August, Tuesday 15 August and Thursday 17 August.

Get your kids down for some fun cricket

FIRSTS LOSE

The firsts turned in a below par batting effort to lose at the weekend to Muckamore. Restricting the visitors to 211, we couldn’t find our form with the bat and were well behind on DLS when the rain came.

It was an even worse story for the seconds, who collapsed from 42/2 to 52 all out chasing 158 against the same opposition.

The 4s won on Saturday at Donacloney Mill, but lost in unsatisfactory circumstances on Sunday to Muckamore.

This weekend sees T20 action return to the Park on Friday evening with a match against Instonians and it will feature BBQ and music (80s rock theme). Then on Saturday the firsts take on North Down in an important league game. The 4s have a busy weekend with cup action on Saturday against BISC and league action on Sunday against Derriaghy.

TOP WEEKEND FOR FIRSTS

The firsts enjoyed a very successful weekend with cup victories in the Irish Cup and the Challenge Cup. On Saturday, a large crowd was treated to a batting masterclass from professional Gionne Koopman, whose unbeaten 102 paved the way to a 7 wicket win over Eglinton, chasing 210. On Sunday, the firsts were not at their best, but did not need to be to comfortably beat lower league opposition in Armagh, who relied on a last wicket stand of 37 to reach 119. 30s from Neil Doak and Adam Berry saw the side home by 6 wickets.

The thirds sadly were knocked out of the cup, an indifferent performance causing a defeat at Instonians, but the fourths progress after Cregagh were iunable to field a side.

No match for 1st this weekend but 2s have a big first round Junior Cup game at Laurelvale, with the thirds also in action.

FIRSTS LOSE HIGH SCORING AFFAIR, SUCCESS FOR THIRDS, 4S LOSE

Week 2 of the season saw the firsts go down in a high scoring match at Carrick where it was a tale of South African centuries. Unfortunately our own Gionne Koopman’s magnificent 160* was eclipsed by 2 from the Carrick contingent and we lost by 5 wickets despite posting 298.

Busy weekend ahead for the team with cup encounters on Friday (T20, CSNI, Wallace Park), Saturday (Irish Cup, Eglinton, Wallace Park) and Sunday (Challenge Cup, Armagh, Wallace Park).

Meanwhile there was success for the 3s who comfortably chased Woodvale’s total of 125 on Sunday, half centuries by Nathan Cartmill and Michael Glass paving the way for a 9 wicket win, which followed Saturday’s concession by neighbours Derriaghy to leave the 3rds top of the league at this early part of the season. Unfortunately a weakened 4ths lost to Templepatrick on Saturday.

EXCELLENT OPENING WEEKEND FOR CLUB

The season proper kicked off over the long Bank Holiday weekend and but for a slightly disappointing bowling and fielding display on Monday in the T20, the club may well have been reflecting on a perfect start.

On Saturday, the firsts recovered from the perilous position of 42/5 thanks to half centuries from Davy Simpson (61), Glenn Halliday (51) and Mark Berry (69) and registered a very competitive 227 at CSNI. They had little trouble in defending this tally, winning by 48 runs. On the same day, the 2s entertained the same opponents and again recorded a straightforward win. Batting first excellent efforts from Ducky Browne (78) and Gavin McGill (75) paved the way to an imposing 250 target, and CSNI didn’t get close, the 2s winning by 119. Over at Wallace HS, it was the Nathan Cartmill show as his 84 was instrumental in a 149 target, and Cameron Doak’s 4 wickets ensured that would be beyond the reach of Laurelvale 2s.

On Sunday, the 2s again were in action, and again set a tally of around 250 with many contributions with the bat – Turk 58, Ducky 48, Gav 37, and Doaks senior and junior with unbeaten 30s. Despite a spirited efforts from Waringstown 3s, this total was always beyond them and the 2s ran out winners by 41 to top the league at this early stage of the season. At the Park the 4s also got up and running for the year with a 7 wicket win over North Down, Neil Blundell being the principal architect for the victory with 50* to follow his 2-19 with the ball.

Finally, on Monday, a sun drenched Wallace Park hosted the first T20 of the season and a decent crowd where treated to a close and entertaining affair. A total of 155/6 batting first – the highest in any of the T20 games played on the day – seemed competitive (skipper Berry with 50, Bob Rankin with 42*) and it probably would have been enough but for a slightly indisciplined display with the ball (27 extras) and a couple of costly missed chances. Muckamore ended up winning in the last over by 4 wickets.

So a very positive start for the club, plenty of good performances, and much to look forward to as the season gets going.

SEASON STARTS THIS WEEKEND

The long winter is over (though somebody better tell the weather, quickly) and the season commences this weekend with the firsts away to CSNI on Saturday and at home to Muckamore in the T20 cup on Bank Holiday Monday. Bar will be open for the T20 game and if the weather warms up we may even fire up the BBQ. Come along and support the club and the action.

The seconds commence their programme with a double header v CSN (Wallace Pk) and Waringstown 3s (the Lawn). The 3rds are at home at WHS to Laurelvale 2s on Saturday and play Instonians V on the Bank Holiday. The 4s complete a busy opening weekend with a home fixture in the Park on Sunday against North Down.

A very successful youth registration night was held on Monday 24 will over 50 kids already signed up. Don’t worry if you missed it, you can still register at any time over the next few weeks at the relevant practice sessions, which are as follows

Monday U13 and U15 – 630-8
Tuesday – adult practice
Wednesday U11s and minis – 630-8 (745 for minis)
Thursday – adult practice

Please note the u13/15 practice scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday will not proceed due to matches being played that day by 1s and 3s. On as normal on May 8th.

NEW SEASON NOT LONG AWAY

With the clocks springing forward this weekend, the countdown to the start of the 2017 season is underway. The first XI hopes to commence its campaign on April 15 with a home friendly against Pembroke and are also engaged in a T20 pre season competition at Stormont and North Down on 22/23 April. The new professional, Gionne Koopman, is due to arrive in advance of the T20 competition, and all at Wallace Park are eagerly anticipating his arrival

On the youth side, the registration night will take place on Monday 24 April from 6.30-7.30pm, and the age group sessions will also begin that week. All parents are invited to attend and to bring prospective youth cricketers along. Kids both new and existing members very welcome.

Friday 21st April sees our Golf Day take place, There are still some fourballs left for this very important fund raising day. Please contact James Atkinson if you are interested in playing, donating a prize or sponsoring a hole.

Please also keep free Bank Holiday May Day as this will see the opening 1st XI match in the T20 against Muckamore. A fun filled afternoon is promised at Wallace Park for this fixture to which all are cordially invited.

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