Ardmore finish season on a high with win at Ballyspallen 

Ardmore brought the curtain down on their season in emphatic fashion with a comfortable 68-run victory over Ballyspallen in a contest that carried a distinct end-of-season feel.

Runs were at a premium throughout, but Ardmore’s modest total of 98 proved more than enough as Ballyspallen collapsed spectacularly to be bowled out for  30 inside ten overs.

Sadiq Safi top-scored for Ardmore with 29 from 47 balls, striking four fours and a six, while Muhammad Edrees provided some early impetus with 16 from only eight deliveries, including two sixes.

Matt Cuffe added a patient 15 but Ardmore were continually pegged back by an outstanding spell from Ireland youth international Jacob Blair, who claimed five wickets for just five runs.

At 69 for seven, the innings threatened to unravel completely, but the lower order managed to edge the total towards three figures before Ardmore were dismissed for 98 in 28.2 overs.

Any thoughts Ballyspallen had of making light work of the chase quickly disappeared. Hassan Shahid was bowled first ball by Edrees and from there the innings descended into a procession.

Conor Brolly was the chief destroyer, conceding just five runs while claiming four wickets, with Edrees taking three for six. Sabin Babu chipped in with two wickets as Ballyspallen lost wickets at regular intervals and remarkably failed to produce a batter reaching double figures.

Extras, with 12, were actually their highest contribution, while William McLaughlin’s five was the best individual score. The innings ended at 30 when Stephen Kennedy was bowled by Brolly, completing a convincing victory and allowing Ardmore to sign off a disappointing campaign on a winning note.

For Ballyspallen, while there will be mixed feelings on having missed out on promotion, there is the satisfaction of having won the Irish National Cup last month - a great achievement for the club.