The Wallace High School produced a competent performance to knock holders Foyle and Londonderry College out of The Ulster Bank U15 Schools’ Cup in the quarter final last Saturday morning.
Foyle had beaten Wallace twice last year in tight encounters at final and semi final stages but it was Wallace who had the upper hand in this match.
Foyle won the toss in a 24 over game and decided to bat. NCU U15 bowler Mark Hylands opened the bowling with accuracy and precision as Foyle struggled to get their innings underway. It was however, skipper, James McCallan who made the initial breakthrough having Huey caught by James Calow for 4. Wickets began to fall at regular intervals as McCallan (2 for 13 from 5) and Hylands, who bowled with control (4 for 16 from 5) restricted Foyle to 113 All Out in 20.3 overs.
In reply Zack McCall batted patiently at the top of the order (16) as Wallace lost Jake Clements and James McCallan early on. Mark Hylands steadied the ship with a hard fought 21 and he was ably supported by the young Ryan Moore who batted superbly for 21 not out from 18 balls.
Moore’s ability to chase under pressure is testament to a hard competitive streak and he has shown significant improvements in his batting this year. His inclusion in the U14 Belfast Lords Taverners squad is good reward for his application and hard work.
Jordan Grattan weighed in with a quickfire 19 from 9 balls including two sixes and a four as Wallace got home in 20.3 overs.
This was perhaps the performance of the year from a Wallace U15 team who showed much determination and ability under pressure. In the semi final, Wallace face a further tough assignment at home to either Methodist College or Coleraine Inst.
The 1st XI scored 97 All Out in 17.5 overs with David Scott top scoring with 35. In reply, Foyle got the runs for the loss of 3 wickets in a comprehensive victory.
The U14XI continued their winning ways with a comprehensive 8 wicket victory over Foyle. Foyle got a meagre 54 All Out in 22 overs as Chris Moore (4 for 7) and Peter Sands (3 for 8) ripped the heart out of the Foyle batting. In reply, Wallace passed the score comfortably for the loss of 2 wickets with Chris Crawford 24 not out and Peter Sands 17 not out.
The U13XI beat Foyle by 11 runs in an exciting game in Londonderry. Wallace batted first and scored 143 for 5 in 25 overs. Skipper, Neil Kilpatrick batted superbly for 39 and he was supported by Daniel Ballantyne (21) and Mark McNellis (24 not out). Philip Hylands took 3 wickets as Wallace edged home in a quality fixture.
The U13XI progressed to the next round of the plate with a comprehensive 9 wicket victory over Lurgan JHS. Lurgan batted first and got 49 for 8 in 20 overs. Ryan Getty (3 for 12) and Sean Murray (2 for 10) were the pick of the bowlers. In reply, Wallace passed the total in 9 overs thanks to 16 from Philip Hylands and 16 not out from Daniel Ballantyne.
The three out of four victories against Foyle were very positive for The Wallace High School as Foyle have won Division 1 Pool A of The McCullough Cup.
This Saturday, The Wallace High School 1stXI and U13XI are away to Down High School and the U14XI and U12XI are at home to Down HS. All matches begin at 9.00am.
Last modified: June 10, 2010
