Knights beat Warriors in Friday’s Future Series clash

The Emerging Warriors closed out a disappointing Future Series week with a 5-wicket defeat in their T20 match with the Emerging Knights at Carrickfergus this afternoon. And although results are not what they would have been looking for up to now, it’s probably fair to say that Gary Wilson has at least had the opportunity to assess what has and hasn’t worked for his changes so far.

Today’s reverse was mainly down to not putting enough scoreboard pressure on the home side after the visitors were bowled out for 141 with almost a full over still in the locker. Varun Chopra top scored with 29 (4 fours) after skipper Kyle Magee had made an agressive 28 (2 fours, 3 sixes) at the top of the order.

Scott Macbeth had looked good too as he hit 3 fours and a six in his 20 and Tommy Orr added 19, but nobody really took it by the scruff of the neck. Tom Mayes picked up three wickets with CJ van der Walt, Cian Robertson and Ben Mackey all claiming a brace to ensure the Warriors never got away.

Skipper John Matchett anchored the home side’s reply as he made 47 (7 fours, 2 sixes) while Morgan Topping (27*), Max Burton (22) and John Hunter (17) helped break the back of the chase. A couple of early wickets for Nathan McGuire (2-27) and two more for Chopra (2-22) kept it interesting but the hosts always had things in hand.