Another weekend another trophy for Holywood�s finest , the Wanamaker Trophy and now the Minor Qualifying Trophy, just looking for a photo opportunity to get them both together, who knows!

Holywood III�s put on an almost flawless display on Saturday to record a comprehensive 10 wicket victory over Armagh III�s at Cregagh Cricket Club. Before turning to the match it is only fitting to praise Cregagh for the efforts the club made to have the ground playable.
On Friday it was under water and by Saturday it was in pristine condition, admittedly the start was delayed by 30 minutes and the game was now on the all weather wicket but with the sun gracing us the place looked superb.

Armagh batted first and it did not take long for Holywood�s young fast bowler Thomas Anderson to make early inroads. Looking back I suspect that Armagh will feel that they did not do themselves justice with many of the batsmen out to injudicious shots.

It was interesting to watch Holywood�s blend of youth and experience as they went about the task. A 14 year old at one end, former Irish international Michael Shannon at the other, who, artificial wicket or not seemed to have the ball on a string, the batsmen played and missed that often.

Anderson was then replaced by a man three times his age, Davy Johnston and the wickets just kept coming. In the end it was 3-13 for Anderson, 2-10 for Shannon, the captain Peter Maxwell 2-15 and in the context Johnston was expensive with 2-27.

Holywood�s openers were Martin Treacy and Davy Johnston. Treacy seemed content with the role of anchor man and once Johnston got a few sighters out of the way, he became more expansive, proving once again that class is permanent.

We were even treated to the wiser head taking time out to bend down and tie the shoelaces after running three! 27 off 5 overs soon became 53 off 10 and bar one dropped catch in the outfield it was a cruise home.

It was all over inside 15 overs and the big question was who would NCU President Chris Harte give the Man of the Match award to? On paper his old sparring partner Johnston who had 46 not out and 2 wickets looked the favourite.

In the end he went for youth over experience and I don�t think many Johnston included could argue with that. Thomas Anderson at 14 looks an exciting prospect with the ball in his hand. He took 3 wickets and his opening spell basically set the tone of the match for Holywood.

Who knows perhaps Saturday will be the first of many NCU cup final medals for him, for Davy Johnston it was just another to add to an already impressive collection.