Cooke Collegians hold nerve to defeat Saintfield

Cooke Collegians produced a disciplined bowling display to claim a 22-run victory over Saintfield after successfully defending a modest total of 143.

Cooke found batting difficult throughout their innings, with wickets falling regularly after Haider Haider was dismissed in the opening over.

Vinoth Srinivasan made 16 and John Gibbons 22, but at 89 for eight the innings was in danger of coming to a premature conclusion.

Billy Foster then provided a valuable late contribution, finishing unbeaten on 26 from 51 balls, while Ashish Pandita made 17 in a ninth-wicket stand which helped lift Cooke to 143.

Adam Sofley was the pick of the Saintfield attack with three for 31 from his spell, while Werner Brand, Brijesh Krishali and Ethan Hanna each claimed two wickets.

Saintfield's reply got off to an equally troubled start as Ross Murray and Brand departed with only nine on the board.

Gareth Harrison made 14 and Will McNeilly 15, but the middle order was unable to establish the partnership required as Saintfield slipped to 68 for seven.

Krishali gave the visitors hope with a determined 36 from 56 deliveries and, alongside Ethan Hanna, delayed Cooke's celebrations with a ninth-wicket stand of 50.

However, the target ultimately proved beyond reach.

Abin John led the Cooke attack with three for 32, while Pandita, Chander Shekhar and Srinivasan took two wickets apiece.

Saintfield were eventually dismissed for 121, leaving Cooke Collegians celebrating their second win of the campaign.