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Richard White (NCU PRO) & Wylie McKinty

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Despite the glorious sunshine on Saturday many cricket grounds failed to recover from the excessive rainfall of recent times as only five games took place in the Robinson Services leagues.

Robinson Services Premier League
At Comber, traditionally the driest ground in the NCU, Instonians claimed their second victory of the 2018 campaign with a five-wicket victory over North Down. The fixture had been switched to Comber during the week as Shaw's Bridge remained unfit for play.

Former captain Nikolai Smith picked up the first 3 wickets to fall eventually finishing with 4 (for 35 runs) while Nathan Smith, who was called up to the Ireland Test Squad earlier in the week took 2 wickets in quick succession to reduce North Down to 50-5.

Ruhan Pretorius top scored with 20 before he was bowled by James Magee. North Down were eventually bowled out for 108.

In reply Instonians were reduced to 34-3 before a 49 run partnership between Shane Getkate and Ben Rose eased the nerves. Despite the loss of 2 more wickets, including Getkate for 34, Instonians reached the victory target of 110 in the 29th over with Ben Rose finishing on 20no. The most successful of the North Down bowlers was Peter Davison with 3 for 22.

Saturday Results
Instonians beat North Down by 5 wickets
Armagh v Waringstown - postponed
Carrickfergus v CIYMS - postponed
Muckamore v CSNI - postponed

In the Robinson Services League Section 1 Holywood outlined their title potential with a 130-run victory over Laurelvale. Paddy Beverland followed up his 54no last week with another half century this week scoring 55 while new recruit Nathan Burns scored. Andrew Haire finished on 26no as Holywood totalled 170. Michael Burns was the most successful of the Laurelvale bowlers as he picked up 5-31 in his 10 overs.

The Laurelvale reply never got going as accurate bowling from the Holywood openers stifled the runs. However, it was introduction of Ron de Freitas that turned the match. He picked up 6 wickets for 12 runs and was the star for the County Down side as Laurelvale were bowled out for 40 in the 31st over, Holywood winning by a convincing 130 run margin and enhancing their net run rate.

Saturday Results
Holywood beat Laurelvale by 130 runs
Bangor v Derriaghy - postponed
Cregagh v Donacloney Mill - postponed
Downpatrick v Lisburn - postponed
Lurgan v Woodvale - postponed

It was an all family affair in the Robinson Services League Section 2 match at Eton Park as Ballymena beat Ards by 9 wickets. Ards were bowled out for 62 as the father and sons combination of Michael (3 for 8), Sam (2 for 11) and John Glass (2 for 5) took 7 wickets between them. In reply John was also 24no, along with captain Stephen Colgan (20 not out) as Ballymena scored the runs in quick time to comfortably take the points.

Templepatrick also found the going easy at Fullerton Park as they bowled Dunmurry out for 79 with Ross Bryans taking 5 for 16 and Michael Stewart 2 for 17. In reply Templepatrick had few alarms as they raced to 80 for the loss of 2 wickets, with the experienced Ricky Greer finishing on 28no.

In another low scoring affair at Saintfield the home team ran out winners by 12 runs. Batting first Saintfield found the BISC bowlers to be on top as they were bowled out for 102 in 27 overs. Star of the show was Amitesh Bhattacharya with 6 wickets for 33 which will be good enough to earn him a bit of Robinson Services crystal later in the year. In reply BISC were bundled out for 90 in the 39th over. The wickets were shared around as Gareth Harrison took 2 for 13, Philip Murray 2 for 7 and Ethan Hanna 3 for 22.

Saturday Fixtures
Ballymena beat Ards by 9 wickets
Saintfield beat BISC by 12 runs
Templepatrick beat Dunmurry by 8 wickets
Belfast SuperKings v Cooke Collegians - postponed
Dundrum v Donaghadee - postponed
Larne v Drumaness - postponed
Victoria v Monaghan - postponed