Warm-up win for Rankin’s Warriors

Boyd Rankin got his North West Warriors Head Coach tenure off to a winning start in this afternoon’s friendly game against the Northern Knights at Beechgrove. 

It was a fairly low-key affair which the home side eventually won by 22 runs, however the former Ireland pace bowler will have been delighted by the efforts of the new faces he introduced for the game.

Gavin Roulston and Scott Macbeth were particularly impressive; the pair adding 71 runs for the third wicket after the earlier loss of Nathan McGuire and Andy McBrine. The teenagers made light of their inexperience at this level- Roulston hitting 2 fours and 3 sixes before being run out for 45.

Macbeth batted very well too as he added 5 fours and a six in his 41- a partnership that laid the platform for Graham Hume and Jarred Wilson to get the hosts to their total of 184 all out

Hume made 38 (5 fours and a six) and Wilson 27, while Mark Adair bowled superbly for his 4-17.

The Knights’ reply started well as James McCollum (27) and Luke Georgeson (19) put on 41 for the first wicket.

A superb spell from Andy McBrine turned the game on it’s head however; the Warriors skipper picking up 5-13 from his 4 overs as 41-0 became 56-5.

Skipper Adair added 29 and Cade Carmichael 18 as the NCU side fought back briefly, but despite a late 33 from Jack Dickson and 22 not out from Tom Mayse, the Warriors had done enough.

North West Warriors 184 all out in 40 overs; G Roulston 45; S Macbeth 41; J Wilson 38; J Wilson 27; M Adair 4-17

Northern Knights 162 all out in 37.4 overs; J Dickson 33; M Adair 29; J McCollum 27; T Mayse 22*; L Georgeson 19; C Carmichael 18