TOWN IN LAST EIGHT OF CUP

This time it was in the Second Round of the Ulster Bank Challenge Cup. Their second wicket partnership of 195 set the platform for a massive Lurgan total of 350 for five wickets off their 50 overs.

Unlike the league game 24 hours earlier, Holywood were never really in the hunt, this time being dismissed for 171, leaving Lurgan winners by 179 runs.

There was, however, early success for the visitors as town skipper Stephen Johnston was out caught by Ricky Adair off the bowling of Mark Adair for seven with the score on 33.

This brought James McCollum to the crease and he and Godbole set about the visitors bowling. Niranjan this time turned his century into a 150, eventually departing for 154 caught by Hayes off the bowling of Ricky Adair.

The Indian professional’s total included 19 fours and one six from just 134 deliveries. Niranjan has certainly hit tremendous early season form with scores of 99, 117 and 154 in his last three innings.

James McCollum, in his first major knock of the season, hit 12 fours and two sixes in his 104.

Stephen Chambers contributed with 28 and John Guy, who hit 67 on Saturday finished on 15 not out, leaving the visitors with a very difficult task even in perfect batting conditions if they were to progress to the next round.

Holywood started the run chase in similar fashion to Saturday’s league game, the opening partnership racing to 68 before the fall of the first wicket.

However unlike Saturday, once openers R Adair (34) and E Lynam (23) departed, wickets fell at regular intervals with the home side always looking to be in control of the game.

Cameron Grieve returned the best bowling analysis for the town side taking three Holywood wickets for just 19 runs in his 10 overs.

Mark Stinson also bowled well taking two for 27 off six, Andrew Bingham took two for 10 in two overs with Niranjan Godbole backing up his batting heroics taking two for 34 off 10. Skipper Stephen Johnston finished the game off, his one wicket costing five runs.

This win gives the town side a home draw against Muckamore in the last eight of the competition.