RECENT recruit, Robert Wasson, had a brilliant debut for Templepatrick on Saturday when his five wickets' haul laid the foundation for victory at Donacloney.
Brought into the attack as first change, he ripped through the middle order, and the home team was dismissed for a disappointing 111 in dodgy batting conditions.
With no covers available, the wicket had been exposed to rain earlier in the week, an
d with conditions favouring the bowlers, Artie Campbell, after winning the toss, had no hesitation in inserting the opposition.
Thie decision paid off handsomely, with the pace of Wasson being rewarded with the impressive figures of five for 30, ably supported by John Busby, who took four-for-11 from 10 overs of leg-spin. Keith Wilson chipped in with the other wicket. Busby also held a marvellous catch from a full-blooded drive off his own bowling.
SKIPPER’S HALF-CENTURY
Templepatrick knocked off the 112 required for victory for the loss of five wickets, with the bulk of the runs coming from Campbell 59 not out, and Mark Thompson, who batting at No. 3 contributed 19.
However the best partnership of the afternoon was for the last wicket to fall, when Campbell and Wilson added 40 runs.
In midweek the scheduled two-nighter against Portadown was all over on the first evening, as Templepatrick cruised to an eight wickets win.
The County Armagh visitors were dismissed for 79, John Busby heading the bowling honours with three wickets. Wilson and Robert Smith each claimed a brace, while teenagers Jordan Carlisle and Daniel McFadden had one wicket apiece.
Campbell was in fine batting form with an unbeaten 32, and his partnership with Smith, 29 not out, steered the locals to a match-winning 80 for two.
ARMAGH RUNS SPREE
Following those two wins Templepatrick slumped to their second league defeat of the season in Armagh on Sunday afternoon.
Without Campbell, James Jackson, Wilson, Chris Busby and Colin Morrow, the East Antrim team was up against it before a ball was bowled, and the home side piled up the runs against the weakened attack to post a massive 325 for four.
John Busby again emerged as the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Josh Dailly got one, and the other one was a fortunate run-out, when an attempted straight drive ricocheted off bowler Busby's foot, to leave the non-striker stranded.
Templepatrick mounted a spirited reply with Andy McCrea (25) and Richard Greer (47) putting on 82 for the first wicket. Neil Reynolds top-scored with 48, while Robert Smith (36) and Josh Dailly (26) also made significant contributions, but the innings closed on 215, leaving Armagh winners by a convincing 110 runs.
Commenting wicket-keeper batsman, Richard Greer, said, "The wicket was a batsman's paradise, and Armagh made the most of the conditions after asking us to bowl.
