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Club News, Match Reports and Results
25th December 2017
🏏 Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas to all our members supporters and Facebook friends. Today marked our annual Christmas morning draw and Many thanks to all who sold tickets for it and congratulations to those who won prizes. A special thank you to those who were involved in today’s proceedings in organising the bar and draw, Gareth McCarter, Harry Doyle, George Breakey, Keith Wilson and Estelle Johnston. Many thanks for all your hard work.
22nd December 2017
🏏 Happy Christmas to all of Armagh's Players and Supporters in Armagh Plus all over the UK and Around the World
2018 will bring many exciting and demanding new challenges for the club with a long awaited return to Premier League status.
Below is a handy guide setting out all the home and away league and cup fixtures dates.
10th December 2017
🏏 Armagh Drawn Against Senior Cup Holders CIYMS
In the the first round of the Arthur J. Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup Armagh face a tough away assignment in Belfast to holders CIYMS.
The cup features the 8 Premiership and 10 Section One clubs and there was only one other tie featuring teams from the top flight with CSNI at home to Carrickfergus
23rd November 2017
🏏 Review of 2017 Season
League and Cup Double for Firsts
The 2017 season at Armagh Cricket Club was one of unprecedented success as the 1st XI won a league and cup double, in doing so marking their first return to the top level of NCU Cricket in 60 years. It might not have looked as bright at the start of the season as a late technicality with visa regulations meant that the Northern Cricket Union refused the registration of overseas player Indrajeet Kamtekar despite their earlier assurances. While this was undoubtedly a sad end to a legendary career in local cricket, Kamtekar was still to play an integral role through the season as a mentor for the team providing expert advice and opinion to players right through the club.
Undeterred, Armagh began the season in stunning fashion with a remarkable away win at Derriaghy led by 140 not out by Neil Gelston then backed by a superb bowling and fielding effort. Academy were dispatched on the Mall thanks to a solid half century from captain Matthew Steenson and a five wicket haul from the returning Alan Whitcroft. An under-par performance led to defeat at Lisburn in the AJG Challenge Cup before a comfortable win against Lurgan in the T20 Trophy. More controversy followed as Cliftonville beat Armagh at Mallusk thanks to a century from current Irish international Paul Stirling before Armagh lost a closely contested game at early pacesetters Woodvale despite great batting from Jarred Barnes and Andrew Hoey.
At this point Armagh’s season could have been at a crossroads but there followed a set of impressive victories through June. Bangor were well beaten on the Mall as Colin Russell scored 74 before the bowlers led by Harry Doyle and Ben Mackey skittled them for 70. Lurgan were turned over at Pollock Park despite 88 from their overseas player Dandekar as Mackey and Gelston took three wickets each before a great partnership of 152 between Gelston and Russell gave Armagh an eight wicket win. The same combination were too much for Holywood on the Mall as Gelston scored 89 and Russell 71 not out in a wonderful Armagh score of 269-6. In reply Holywood were never in contention all out for 80 as teenage bowling sensation Ben Mackey took a brilliant 6-21 and in a sign of things to come, Jarred Barnes took 3 wickets in his first bowl. Armagh romped into the LVS T20 Trophy final with comfortable home wins against Cliftonville and Bangor respectively.
A setback followed at Donaghcloney Mill as a poor performance with bat and ball was capitalised upon excellently by the strong home team but any doubts were answered with another strong home win against Derriaghy. Tough conditions meant that Armagh had to dig in and post a competitive score with Michael Hoey leading the way with 54 then the bowling of Mackey and Doyle ensured the points stayed at the Mall. Academy were smashed again as dogged batting from Gelston and Hoey got Armagh up to a decent target between the showers before Barnes and Whitcroft ensured Academy wouldn’t get close as they were dismissed for a mere 27.
The following day saw Armagh travel to The Lawn Waringstown to play Woodvale in the LVS T20 Trophy final. A super following from the city supported the team who put in a wonderful performance with the ball and in the field to restrict Woodvale to 91 in their 20 overs. Neil Gelston got Armagh off to a great start and Man of the Match Jarred Barnes saw the team to the target to seal the trophy for a delighted Armagh.
Back to business in the Gardiner Brothers League with another Home win against Cliftonville who struggled to 121 which was knocked off comfortably for a six wicket win. The following day Armagh managed to beat Downpatrick and more importantly the elements as the rain threatened to intervene as a strong score led by 70 from Colin Russell was backed by some brilliant fielding and bowling led by Barnes.
The next home game against Woodvale was billed as a title decider by the Ulster Cricket media and they weren’t to be disappointed in a thrilling game. Armagh struggled to 96-7 but a fantastic fighting partnership between Samuel Wilson and Gareth McCarter saw Armagh to a competitive 180. Woodvale were reduced to 28-4 in reply with Mackey again causing damage but a brilliant fightback from Irwin and Gibson put the Belfast side in pole position. Armagh’s attitude came out on top and inspired bowling and fielding saw the pendulum swing in their favour as Alan Whitcroft took the crucial final wicket and the team celebrated wildly knowing what the win meant against their nearest rivals.
This was backed up with another strong win against Bangor with Barnes and Michael Hoey scoring important runs before the big South African bowled with pace and skill to destroy the Home batting for a mere 75. A dogged Donaghcloney Mill provides stern opposition on the Mall, posting a competitive score despite early wickets from Mackey and Barnes. A determined half century from Russell was enough to lead the Armagh chase.
The final game of the season turned out to be at Downpatrick. Inclement Autumn weather led to a green wicket but Armagh knuckled down to post a score, helped by a Gelston half-century to take him past 600 league runs for the summer. In response Downpatrick couldn’t compete as Ben Mackey and Barnes got Armagh off to the usual great start. When Gelston bowled Magowan to seal the Armagh win the team could celebrate knowing that a remarkable league triumph had been sealed. A tremendous source of pride for Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was that he led a team that all contributed and had someone to stand up and do the business when required. When the team was met with difficulties and setbacks they generally bounced back when they needed to.
The Premier League will present huge challenges both on and off the field but they are ones that Armagh will hope to embrace with the support of everyone in the club and the city.
22nd August 2017
🏏 Armagh Pip Donaghcloney Mill to Stand on the Verge of History
Not a perfect performance but a good result…
Despite a stuttering performance Armagh had just about enough to seal a 4 wicket win against Donaghcloney Mill in the Gardiner Bros NCU League. The Mall was looking in excellent condition despite a consistently poor week of weather so credit to the ground team for their efforts. Cloney opted to bat first after winning the toss but found themselves in trouble with a wicket offering pace and bounce to the Armagh opening pair of Jarred Barnes and Ben Mackey. The former struck first when visiting captain Derby was spectacularly caught behind by Armagh wicketkeeper Gareth McCarter off the inside edge. Not to be outdone, Mackey dismissed Warren with another edge to the keeper. Barnes was on spectacular form and took a classic fast bowlers wicket when he beat Lyttle with pace and bounce and offered an easy catch for Harry Doyle. Michael Hoey took a good running catch to dismiss Hanna off Mackey and when Talbot gave McCarter his third catch and Barnes his third wicket the visitors looked in trouble at 45-5. Armagh somehow seemed to take their foot off the pedal a little and to their credit the Donaghcloney middle-order batting showed a bit more resolve, although McCart did fall to the trap set by the bowling of Alan Whitcroft and gave a catch to Mackey. Neil Gelston picked up a wicket with his clever off-spin bowling when he removed the younger Lyttle brother. When Barnes returned to the attack and clean bowled McCart (and breaking the stump in the process) the visitors were 94-8 and struggling. What followed was a frustrating period for Armagh as Stevenson and Simpson to their credit batted really well and added a great partnership of 54 for the 9th wicket. Thankfully Doyle broke the stand when he bowled the resilient Stevenson for a well played 39 before last man McClure went without scoring, caught by Hoey off the bowling of Mackey who claimed his third wicket. Donaghcloney were dismissed for 149, a decent effort after where they had been but still a target that Armagh would be confident of chasing on a decent batting pitch.
Armagh started with a new opening pair of Gelston and Doyle who started in decent fashion however quick wickets of Gelston lbw and Steenson caught behind left Armagh 36-2 as Colin Russell came to the crease. The Donaghcloney bowling was generally accurate but the pair were content to add steadily and run well between the wickets when the opportunity arose. The partnership was approaching fifty and drinks were about to be taken when Doyle tried to smash McClure over mid-off but could not clear the fielder and departed for 32. Jarred Barnes joined Russell and immediately the rate of scoring increased with Barnes being particularly harsh on the spin of McCart, striking 3 sixes in an entertaining cameo before being trapped leg-before wicket to the wily Hanna for 22. Colin Russell passed his half century with three boundaries and two sixes before retiring with cramp for a well played 52. This led to a slightly chaotic period as both Michael Hoey and Sam Wilson departed cheaply with Armagh just short of the winning mark which was reached when McCarter knocked the spin of Hanna through a gap to pick the run that was needed as Armagh won by 4 wickets. With the result in the other big game coming through that Downpatrick had beaten the other nearest challenger Woodvale it meant that Armaghs lead in the Section one table was 12 points with only 3 games left, meaning Premier League cricket was remarkably within touching distance for the city side.
After the game, experienced Armagh batsman Colin Russell commented that 'today was all about keeping the run going and we did that. The bowling early on from Jarred Barnes and Ben Mackey was excellent and even though Donaghcloney Mill maybe got more than we should have allowed them we still done pretty well. We paced our chase pretty well and got the job done. If we can play well next week at Holywood then that would be hopefully be enough'.
Thanks to William Magwood and Flo McCarter for their sponsorship of Saturdays match ball and as mentioned, Armagh travel to the Seapark Oval this weekend to take on Holywood. The game starts at noon and if Armagh can win then they will seal the Gardiner Bros NCU Section 1 title and promotion to the Premier League.
17th August 2017
🏏 One Step Closer for Armagh After a Great Win at Upritchard Park
Armagh travelled to Bangor for a game that would surely have crucial implications at both ends of the Gardiner Brothers NCU League Section One. Armagh were two wins clear at the top after their memorable win against Woodvale while Bangor were struggling at second bottom in the table. Bangor won the toss and elected to bowl first on a strangely soft wicket for their Upritchard Park home. Armagh openers Neil Gelston and Colin Russell began relatively well but both fell in quick succession with the score in the 20s. Harry Doyle looked to rebuild with Jarred Barnes having to work hard with conditions favouring the bowlers. Barnes was the more fluent of the two before Doyle was caught out with the partnership just short of 50. Armagh captain Matthew Steenson cane to the crease and immediately looked to attack, striking 6 boundaries before he was bowled by one that stayed low from home skipper Nixon. Dangerman Barnes had struck 7 boundaries in his 38 before he was removed lbw to former North Down legend Taimur Khan with Bangor celebrating wildly and perhaps even over the top. Last weeks hero Sam Wilson and debutant William Hazelton both fell cheaply and Armagh looked well below par at 131-7 but thankfully for Armagh Michael Hoey looked in fluent touch and was supported by Gareth McCarter in a useful stand for the 9th wicket. Hoey had top-scored with 43 featuring 7 boundaries when he was bowled by the spinner. Alan Whitcroft was perhaps harshly given lbw to Khan before last man Ben Mackey was able to smash a free hit to the boundary and Armagh could add a few more vital runs before McCarter was last man out as Armagh scored 179, a more than satisfactory effort in tough batting conditions.
Bangor were about to find out just how tricky the batting conditions were and in Jarred Barnes and Ben Mackey Armagh had the perfect pair of men to exploit them. Barnes struck first when a superb off cutter bowled Burns in the very first over before his prolific opening partner Mark English also went without scoring when a Barnes bouncer was brilliantly caught behind by Armagh wicketkeeper McCarter. The procession continued as the brilliant Barnes had far too much for the defences of McCollum and Parker. Bangor captain Nixon provided some limited resistance before being completely fooled by a superb slower ball that gave a fifth scalp to the tall South African. Khan was doing his best to provide Bangor with some hope, surviving a tough chance to Hazelton off the bowling of Mackey but was receiving virtually no support as Gelston bowled out McCusker before Doyle claimed the wicket of Grossett caught behind. Fraser was clean bowled by the hard-working Whitcroft attempting a slog before Khan was 9th out, caught smartly on the boundary by Doyle off the excellent spin bowling of Gelston. With one wicket remaining, Steenson brought Barnes back into the attack and it only took him one ball to seal the Armagh win and a Gardiner Bros NCU award for a six wicket haul as Prince edged behind to the safe gloves of McCarter as Armagh celebrated a comprehensive 104 run win to remain in the driving seat in the Section 1 table.
Armagh vice-captain Harry Doyle was more than content with another solid all-round display from the team. 'We had to dig-in with the bat because it wasn't easy but getting to 180 was important. Bangor did our team talk for us before we headed out to bowl and it wasn't too smart of them to rile up big Barnes who was incredible. Our fielding and catching backed him up well enough. Our position is a strong one but the team just has to keep doing things right on the field and the table will look after itself.'
Next weekend Armagh host Donaghcloney Mill on the Mall with a 12noon start.
24th July 2017
🏏 Armagh Win T20 Trophy
Armagh made the short journey early on Sunday morning to The Lawn, Waringstown for the final of the Lagan Valley Steel T20 competition against Woodvale. Armagh had progressed to the final with home wins against Lurgan, Cliftonville and Bangor but now faced what would likely be a sterner challenge against what most agreed was the best team in the division. With the early morning start and Woodvale liking to chase, Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was delighted to win the toss and elect to field first. What followed was some of the best white ball cricket an Armagh side has ever produced. The innings couldn't have got off to a better start as prolific opener Connolly was caught behind by McCarter in Jarred Barnes' first over and Armagh didn't take the foot off the pedal with brilliant fielding on show.
Barnes took a second wicket when he sharply caught and bowled Irwin while the off-spin of Neil Gelston claimed the other Irwin brother soon after thanks to a good catch by Andrew Hoey on the midwicket boundary. Steenson was managing his bowlers smartly with Doyle bowling tightly and Alan Whitcroft taking the significant scalp of Paul Robinson who had done so much damage in the earlier league fixture. The bulk of the Woodvale scoring was being done by their hard hitting bat Farhan Saeed but he was deceived by the spin of Michael Hoey and the catch was taken by wicketkeeper McCarter. Armagh did not relent and superb closing overs by Barnes and Doyle reaped several more wickets as the Woodvale innings closed on 91-9, a fabulous effort from Armagh that was richly applauded by the growing crowd at the Lawn. Jarred Barnes returned scarcely believable figures of 3 wickets for 5 runs in his 4 over spell.
Armagh hoped for a strong start in response to the low total that would hopefully take the sting out of the Woodvale attack and opened with Neil Gelston and Colin Russell as Jamie Rogers was feeling unwell. The two Armagh batsmen looked in sublime touch with Gelston in particular finding boundaries around the ground. It took a particularly poor umpiring decision to give Woodvale their breakthrough as Gelston was hit high above the pad but was strangely given out by umpire Boyd despite a muted appeal. This wicket brought two more as Steenson went without scoring and Russell edged behind soon after and suddenly Woodvale had belief. This was dampened by the partnership of Jarred Barnes and Michael Hoey who took Armagh to the verge of victory with some sensible batting mixed with some great attacking shots.
Unfortunately both Hoey brothers Michael and Andrew fell before the winning post looking for a big hit to add to Armagh nerves but thankfully the resolute defence of Doyle was able to see it out and allow man of the match Barnes to hit the winning runs and give Armagh a 5 wicket victory and the Trophy. A delighted Matthew Steenson collected the LVS T20 Trophy from competition sponsor Tommy Anderson and NCU President Peter McMorran.
After the game, Steenson said 'We delivered when it mattered, arguably as good a performance with the ball and in the field as most can remember from an Armagh team. Runs saved, catches taken and bowlers in control is a captains dream. We made hard work of the chase after the brilliant start Russell and Gelston gave us but at the end of the day the only thing that matters in a final is getting the hands on the cup and we did that. The team is very grateful to all the support we had over from Armagh on the morning and to match sponsor Ricky Dobbs. Fair play to Woodvale for a good game and to Waringstown for being excellent hosts.'
The 'reward' for success in the T20 Trophy is a trip to the North West for the Ulster Shield. Opposition, date and venue are all to be confirmed.
Lagan Valley Steels Twenty20 Trophy - 2017
Final - 23rd July at The Lawn, Waringstown CC
Woodvale 91-9 (J Barnes 3-5, M Hoey 2-7, H Doyle 2-9)
Armagh 92-5 (N Gelston 33, J Barnes 30no)
Armagh beat Woodvale by 5 wickets
23rd July 2017
🏏 T20 Winners
Armagh CC winners of the 2017 Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy by 5 wickets at the lawn today…
16th July 2017
🏏 Armagh Defeat Bangor to Reach T20 Final - 31 Run Win
Armagh advanced to the final of the Lagan Valley Steels NCU T20 Trophy after a fine all-round performance was too much for Bangor in the semi final. Armagh batted first and racked up a more than competitive score of 164-8 in their 20 overs. Neil Gelston top scored with 47 while there were solid contributions from Jarred Barnes with 27 while Jamie Rogers and captain Matthew Steenson both scored 26. In reply Bangor struggled early on with Barnes and Ben Mackey bowling well while the Armagh fielding was excellent. Gelston bowled an excellent spell of spin to restrict further while Harry Doyle removed dangerman Fraser who had been striking the ball well. Mackey, Gelston and Doyle all took two wickets each as Armagh sealed a win by 31 runs.
2nd May 2017
🏏 Firsts Start 2017 Season with Away Win over Derriaghy
First century for Armagh from Neil Gelston.
The opening day of the 2017 NCU cricket Section one season saw Armagh make the challenging trip to Queensway in Lisburn to face a Derriaghy side who impressed last season despite their relegation from the Premier League. Armagh knew this would be a difficult match given the quality of the opponent and the NCU registration ruling which meant that meant Kamtekar was unable to play. A chilly day at Queensway began with the toss, with Derriaghy winning it and somewhat surprisingly electing to bowl.
Neil Gelston and Jamie Rodgers began the innings steadily for Armagh, regularly punishing the bad ball to the boundary, Gelston and Rodgers got to their 50 partnership and looked set as the two pushed on. With the score at 78 Rodgers fell to a questionable LBW decision for a excellent score of 47. This brought new recruit Samuel Wilson to the crease and Gelston and Wilson pushed on. Gelston brought up his 50 and both batsmen pushed on playing some wonderful shots. As Wilson got to 20 his attemted sweep shot slipped through the gap and he was bowled. This brought Colin Russell to the crease with Gelston who was now pushing into the 80's and looking increasingly fluent. Loose balls were being smashed all around Queensway by Russell and Gelston with some huge sixes, The former fell for 19 when he was caught on the boundary which brought Armagh Captain Matthew Steenson to the crease.
Soon after the skipper had joined Gelston at the crease he reached a wonderful 100, his first for Armagh just before the team 200 was brought up in the 43rd over. With wickets in hand the Armagh batsmen began to go ballistic with Steenson smashing sixes all around Queensway and Gelston steadily adding to his ton. Armagh finished their innings 279-3 with Gelston finishing on 140 not out and Steenson 36 not out. Neil Gelstons innings contained 15 boundaries and 5 big sixes and was a special effort to bat undefeated through the entire 50 overs. This looked to be a good score however Armagh understood that only half the work was done with the small nature of the ground making defending quite difficult.
Derriaghy began their innings extremely aggressively with Sam Wilson and youngster Ben Mackey opening the bowling. In Mackey's first over the Derriaghy batsman pushed the ball up into the safe hands of Robin Sinton at mid-on much to Armagh's delight. In the next over Wilson wasn't to be out done as he dismissed the other opener who smashed straight to Russell at cover who juggled but held on for a great catch. This wicket brought Captain and Northern Knights player Craig Lewis to the crease for Derriaghy, Armagh knew that if they could get him they had a real chance, Wilson again came storming in and the batsman edged to first slip into the safe hands of Gelston. With Lewis on 32 and having smashed Armagh's opening bowlers around Queensway, Mackey bounded in and dismissed him attempting one slog too many as he edged back to wicketkeeper Gareth McCarter. With Derriaghy on 112-4 after only 14 overs, Gelston and Steenson began to bowl to try and tighten things up. Gelston was bowling his usual tight lines and Steenson the same, both began to restrict the run rate. Steenson was to dismiss the next Derriaghy man Bell who again edged behind to McCarter who took a good catch up at the stumps. This brought drinks and Armagh knew that the game was not over as Derriaghy only needed 120 runs off the remaining 25 overs. Michael Hoey was then brought on, and the off spinner immediately took a wicket trapping former Armagh player Mark Stinson leg before wicket. Armagh's work in the field was generally excellent with Andy Hoey particularly impressive, stopping everything that came at him on the boundary. The Derriaghy batsman Andrew Kenny was unbeaten on 87 and was looking to finish the game for his side but Wilson had different ideas as he fired in a delivery to the batsman who looked to go big only to chip it into the safe hands of Colin Russell at cover. Michael Hoey and Steenson shared further scalps leaving the away side on the verge of a notable success. One wicket remained and Derriaghy needed 35 runs, Mackey had been brought back to bowl and the Derriaghy tail enders in a moment of confusion both ended up at the strikers end, much to the delight of the young bowler who showed experience beyond his years to simply take the bails off and recorded an excellent win and a great start to the season.
Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was understandably delighted with a terrific win. 'I'm sure not many people gave us much of a chance coming up here against a strong team but we have plenty of quality in our own side even if we are missing players. Everyone knows the lead up to the season hasn't been ideal but it just means that the rest of us have to step up. We seriously did that today. Delighted for Neil Gelston in particular but everyone can be proud of themselves this weekend.'
Next weekend the 1st XI host Academy in a league fixture on the Mall with a 1.00pm start.
Armagh 279-3 - Gelston 140* Rogers 47 Steenson 36*
Derriaghy 244 all out - Kenny 87. Wilson 3-60
Armagh win by 35 runs
30th April 2017
🏏 Season Begins Well
A wonderful start to the 2017 season yesterday for the club as the 1st XI defeated Derriaghy CC at Queensway by 35 runs. A fantastic 140 not out by opening batsman Neil Gelston backed up by Jamie Rogers(47) and skipper Matthew Steenson(36) saw Armagh post a score of 279. The hosts were bowled out for 244 as young bowlers Samuel Wilson and Ben Mackey both claimed three wickets each. It was also their first wickets for Armagh firsts. All in all a great result after some difficult weeks off the pitch. We welcome Academy to the mall next Saturday.
18th January 2017
🏏 Club Donation to Southern Area Hospice
Making a donation to Rosemary Gribben representing Southern Area Hospice Services after Armagh Cricket Club held a successful Duck Race are Club Secretary Ryan McCarter and President Norman Graham. Armagh Cricket Club would like to thank their members and event sponsor Woolsey Concrete for their support.
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