Win guarantees Laurelvale safety in Section One

ON Saturday Laurelvale welcomed local neighbours Donacloney Mill to the ’Vale, winning the toss and asking the visitors to bat first.

A controlled start from the ’Vale bowlers, Kurshid Subhani and Adam Speers sawthe run rate kept in check, with Subhani getting the first reward with the score on 18.

The next six overs saw a bit less control resulting in a flurry of boundaries as Donacloney reached 61 off 13 overs before Michael Burns picked up his first wicket.

Burns struck again but while the Donacloney professional was still at the crease the ’Vale knew they had to be at their best. Subhani returned the last over before the drinks break and lured Varape into a false shot, with Speers taking a sharp low catch, leaving the visitors 86-4 at the break.

Mohammad Ajmal, joined the attack and immediately settled into a great rhythm.

He would go on to take five of the last six wickets, finishing with excellent figures of 5-8.

Special mention to Subhani who took a great one handed catch and effected a run out as Donacloney posted 111.

Vale openers Adnan Malik and Mark Thornbury started off cautiously as the visiting opening attack bowled into good areas.

However, the longer the innings went on the more comfortable they looked. Thornbury was adjudged LBW, bringing Speers to the crease. As the players stopped for the lunch break the score had moved to 53-1 off 14 overs.

With play due to resume a heavy shower arrived, a delay of 35 minutes seeing eight overs lost and the new target 101 off 42 overs.

However, Malik and Speers went out with a positive mindset, both players hitting boundaries as the target became ever closer.

Malik passed his half century in the process with two big sixes and finished the game 64 not out, well supported by Speers as the ’Vale won by 9 wickets and 22 overs to spare.

In the process, Section 1 safety was guaranteed with two games to go.

Next week, the ’Vale travel to Drumaness Superkings.