Chapman powers Belfast back into second spot

Belfast Wolves climbed back into second place in the ETPL table after a commanding 26-run victory over Glasgow Cosmic, with Mark Chapman producing a blistering unbeaten 71 to set up the win.

ETPL

In a contest reduced to 12 overs per side, Belfast piled up an imposing 146 for three before restricting Glasgow to 120 for eight, their bowling attack striking regularly to ensure the chase never developed sufficient momentum.

Paul Stirling and Tim Tector gave Belfast a brisk start, adding 40 for the opening wicket inside four overs. Tector struck 14 from just seven deliveries before falling to Ali Khan, while Stirling followed for 27 from 18 balls, having hit three fours and two sixes. 

Chapman then took control in emphatic fashion.

The New Zealand international smashed seven sixes and three fours in an unbeaten 71 from only 33 balls, scoring at better than two runs per delivery. Captain Glenn Maxwell briefly joined him, making seven from three balls, before David Miller provided the perfect finishing touch with an unbeaten 23 from 11 deliveries as Belfast surged to 146 for three. 

Glasgow’s reply could hardly have started worse, captain George Munsey falling to Mark Adair from the very first ball.

Jason Roy responded aggressively and kept Glasgow in contention with a powerful 54 from 28 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes. Moises Henriques made eight, while Liam Livingstone and Richie Berrington also managed only eight apiece as Belfast continued to chip away. 

Roy’s dismissal at 84 for five effectively ended Glasgow’s hopes of mounting a serious challenge, although James Neesham offered late resistance with 20 from 13 balls.

Fred Klaassen was the outstanding bowler for Belfast, taking three for 21 from his three overs, while Adair claimed two for 17 and Harry Manenti two for 15. Maxwell completed an impressive all-round team effort by removing Neesham in the final over. 

Glasgow eventually finished on 120 for eight, well short of their target.

It was a polished performance from Belfast, built around Chapman’s explosive innings and backed up by a disciplined bowling display, with the victory lifting the Wolves back into second place as the race at the top of the ETPL table intensifies.