Adam Berry looks for Instonians to return to form

Berry played last Saturday, would have played three days midweek and now returns from London to play a double header this weekend away to Instonians on Saturday plus take three of the local derby against Derriaghy on Sunday.

“Hopefully I will get another chance with the Knights but it was impossible this week. I know comment has been made on my decision to field last week, but look it was not a 266 plays 79 wicket.

“It was a poor performance against Waringstown. Gary Kidd put the ball in the right places, but in my opinion we had a lot of soft dismissals and too many of us got ourselves out.

“Look at Waringstown we had them potentially in a bit of trouble at 90-4, Greg Thompson played a great innings together with Kyle McCallan.

“Both showed how it could be done rotating the strike and knowing that the bad balls would come and they punished them.

“We set out to win our home games; Wallace Park should be a difficult place for teams to come, but twice now we have been dismissed for less than 80.

“It’s all about putting partnerships together and someone going on to make a match winning contribution.

“Instonians will be difficult, as they are an excellent side with Nikolai Smith in good form.

“Add in Andrew White plus James Shannon and then look at the bowling attack, Nathan Smith opening for the Knights, its pretty formidable. We will need all three facets of our game to click.”

On Sunday all in the district are hoping that the weather relents and the twice postponed local derby gets underway. Both teams are to be commended on taking the approach of playing it as a 50 over game rather than a T20 bash as Berry pointed out:

“T20 has its place, but this is a league fixture, we are not even halfway through the season and Craig Lewis (Derriaghy captain) and I are of the opinion that if possible it should be a full fixture, let’s call it a proper game!”

Speaking of rematches Derriaghy get an early chance to avenge last weekend’s Arthur J Gallagher Cup defeat, this time at Queensway. It would be fair to say with the notable exception of skipper Lewis, who seemed to be on a one man crusade the side did not live up to expectations:

Waringstown will hope the streak continues as finally they play at The Lawn against Carrickfergus. Johnny Bushe, still one of the best around behind the stumps returns to play both weekend games.

The seemingly ageless aKyle McCallan who showed his worth last weekend plays in the league but not Ulster Cup.

In the day’s final game North Down host CIYMS at The Green.