Ards & Donaghadee Cricket Club (ADCC) continued their winning ways in the league with a comprehensive 106-run victory over Arches at Northfield on Saturday.
Less than 48 hours after their mid-week success in Mallusk, the home side welcomed familiar opponents, having already defeated Arches twice this season.
Captain Phil McNamara won the toss and had little hesitation in electing to bat first on a fresh wicket.
The decision was quickly justified as Conor Sims, making the most of the opportunity to open the batting after returning to the game following a 10-year absence, produced an excellent innings of 52, laying the perfect platform for the hosts.
Michael Martin provided valuable support with a well-compiled 40, digging in during a spell of disciplined bowling from the visitors, as ADCC reached 139 for 3 after 30 overs.
While the middle period proved difficult for scoring, the hosts once again demonstrated their ability to finish an innings strongly.
The final 10 overs yielded an impressive 85 runs, as Sam Ingham (26) and Dillon Osborne (23) accelerated the scoring, with Andrew Savage and McNamara also finding the boundary.
Savage fittingly struck the final ball of the innings for six, with ADCC closing on a commanding 224 for 7 from their 40 overs.
Defending 225, the home bowlers quickly established control and rarely allowed the visitors to build any meaningful partnerships. A. Rehmani offered the strongest resistance with 31, but regular wickets ensured the required run rate continued to climb.
McNamara led from the front with an outstanding spell of 4 for 26, rediscovering his best form with the ball, while Conor Balfour provided excellent support by claiming 2 for 35.
Backed once again by a disciplined fielding display, the home side dismissed Arches for 118 in 30.1 overs, completing another convincing, all-round performance.
The victory keeps Ards & Donaghadee firmly in the hunt at the top of the league table and provides ideal momentum ahead of Saturday’s LVS T20 Shield semi-final against Dundrum at Northfield, with play scheduled to begin at noon.
