Cricket Europe Season round up for the 1stXI and season highlights for 2s/3s/4s

2015 saw Academy finish comfortably in mid table winning 8 and losing 9 of their league matches in Senior one, with one wash-out.

The cups brought little cheer although they did have a fine win over Derriaghy in the Senior Challenge Cup before they ran into James Hall and Waringstown. Hall scored an unbeaten double hundred as the Mid-Ulster side inflicted a serious beating.

In the T20 trophy there was a fine 9 wicket win over Templepatrick before they bowed out to Cliftonville who won by six wickets.

In the National Cup they had an excellent win at Burndennett before they lost to eventual winners Rush in a high scoring affair. Disappointingly, in the Ulster Shield they conceded to Newbuildings.

The club used 25 players in total but of these, 12 played four games or less and 13 played 11 or more, so the club had the basis of a settled side.

In the batting, no player managed to score a century, but there were 9 fifties scored. Mitch Atkins scored three of those and topped the run aggregates with 476 runs at 29.75 – coming agonisingly close to the hundred mark with the highest score of 97.

Andre Halbert also hit three 50’s in making 366 runs at 19.26, while Matthew Palmer also passed the 300 run mark, scoring 309 runs at 19.31 (one 50).

Four players scored 200 runs or more – Andrew Magee hit two fifties in his 220 runs at 22, with Daniel McFadden scoring 216 runs at 27. Mitchell Dickeson (214 at 19.45) and Mark Shields (224 at 18.67) were the others.

Players worthy of a mention too on the batting front include Stephen Fawcett (196 runs), Chris Halliday (187) and Francis Collins (162).

Fawcett topped the catches list with 10, just ahead of Mitchell Dickeson (8), and Matthew Palmer (7 catches, 4 stumpings). Andre Halbert and Chris Halliday each claimed six catches.

On the bowling front, seven managed to take ten wickets or more with three ‘five-fors’ recorded. Mitch Atkins completed the double by leading the wickets aggregate with 30 at 17.2, ahead of Mtchell Dickeson who took 25 at 17.8 (Two ‘Michelles’).

Josh Stinson managed 23 wkts at 18.8, while Waqas Muhammad captured 17 wickets at 27.4. Andre Halbert took 15 at 22.8, while veteran Davy Greenlees actually topped the averages with 14 at just 15.4. Chris Halliday was the other double figure contributor with 11 victims at 25.1.

One the whole a good first season in Section 1 for the 1st XI. A lot has been learnt this season and come pre season I am sure the squad will be ready to tackle what will prove to be another challenging season.

For the 2nds and 3rds it was a season of consolidation with both performing well in the league and cup. Some key young players have also established themselves, meaning the future is certainly bright.

Finally to the midweek and 4th XI. The midweekers again stumbled at the semi final stage to a strong Armagh side. Another excellent showing from Andrew McCormicks men who will no doubt endeavour in 2016 to finally capture the midweek title. Adam Wilsons 4th XI ended as joint winners of their division resulting in yet another well deserved promotion.

Here's to next season.....

Updated 01:30 - 4 Sep 2019 by Academy