Derriaghy suffer defeat in season opener

They did, however, get off to a great start reducing the hosts to 43 for 4 with Mark Stinson and Craig Lewis picking up 2 wickets apiece.

Craig Drummond for the Antrim men then showed what a great prospect he is with a solid century (134no) and in several partnerships he seen his side to 286 in their allotted 50 overs.

Stinson was the most successful of the bowlers with 5 for 69 while captain Lewis returned 2 for 31 in 10 tight overs.

Facing a tough challenge and missing their Indian player Kaushik Aphale, the Queensway batsmen did not perform well apart from Lewis who hit 31 but once he departed the rest followed quickly as they were shot out for 73.

This Saturday sees Derriaghy play at home to Academy in a preliminary round match of the Ulster Bank Challenge cup starting at 12 noon.

Bank holiday Monday also sees them in action at home against Bangor in the league.

Meanwhile playing at Queensway, Derriaghy Thirds did manage an 8 wicket win over Victoria Seconds thanks mainly to a stylish half century from club Under 13 captain Reece Malone. Chasing 137 to win Reece hit an impressive 58 not out, an innings that included 8 x 4s and a six.

He shared in a 76 run 2nd wicket partnership with opener Kingsley Beckett who hit a solid 31 and then in tandem with the experienced Colin Crookshanks (22 no) seen his side to victory with nearly 8 overs to spare. His final shot and to seal victory was a six over square leg.

Earlier in the day the visitors made a useful 136 all out with Ben Nelson taking 3 for 13, Malone 2 for 15 and the returning Stuart Hegarty also capturing 2 wickets for 38.

Josh Cardosi had a useful opening spell taking 1 for 9 of 4 while K Beckett went wicket less in his 4 tidy overs.

The Thirds have no game this week but the Seconds begin their league action away to Academy.