Double joy for Carrick

After a disappointing 2020 season which ended without a win in any of their six Robinson Services Cup matches, the Middle Road side wasted no time in trying to set the record straight this time around.

On Friday evening at Wallace Park it was the Jacques Snyman show as the South African international clobbered 121 from 61 balls in an innings that included 15 fours and seven sixes.

That helped Carrick record a comfortable 116-run victory and Snyman, who was absent last season but scored over 1000 runs in his maiden campaign in 2019, impressed once again the following day away to Woodvale in a reduced 12-overs per side game.

Opening the batting alongside captain Michael Gilmour he upped his strike-rate to 63 from 21 deliveries before being bowled by Paul Robinson, but the damage had been done and Carrick secured another routine 68-run win.

It puts them second in the table behind unbeaten CSNI and they now have a more than healthy net run-rate which could prove important when it comes to qualification for the semi-finals later this month.

Snyman, who made his international debut against Pakistan in February, is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players to watch in the league and Gilmour was understandably delighted with his early contributions.

“He batted incredibly well both games,” he said.

“The guys are all happy to have him back and the new guys have enjoyed playing with him too.

“He is a class act, so we’re all hoping he can keep working hard and have another fantastic season at Carrick.”

Snyman’s arrival back at Carrick coincides with batsman Jeremy Lawlor and seamer Graeme McCarter signing for the club and gives Carrick’s squad a formidable look.

Lawlor – who is also part of the Northern Knights – scored 51 runs across the two games while McCarter collected the vital wicket of Woodvale opener James Hall on Saturday.