Lurgan Tigers under 13s claimed the Banoge Cup at Pollock Park on Friday, 8th August after a tense finish with Lisburn.
 
James McCollum won the toss and elected to bowl first and given the damp conditions, this proved to be a smart call when James removed Hylands with the very first ball of the innings.  The first over proved to be quite eventful when McCallen timed one through midwicket and this was not to be the last of the action in the over when James struck again, getting one to nip away from McCallen claiming his off stump.  After the first over, Lisburn were 6-2.  Opposition captain Ferguson looked in good touch as he moved to 15 when James McCollum caught him on the run off the bowling of Philip Wilson.  Philip went on to bowl Brackenbridge for 10 just as he was beginning to look dangerous.  After this the wickets began to fall at regular intervals, James McCollum went on to take McCallen and then Allen with a smart catch from wicket keeper Neil Kilpatrick. Matthew Bann then bowled Howes for 2 and Lurgan piled on the pressure in the field with 2 run outs towards the end of the innings.  Lisburn set Lurgan a target of 70 to win.  James McCollum finished with 3-12, Matthew Bann 1-13, Chris Johns 1-24, Philip Wilson 3-10.  Nathan Crozier bowled very economically – only going for 8 runs from his 3 overs.
 
Lurgan’s reply started well when James picked up a short delivery from McCallen which he dispatched through mid wicket to the boundary, however there was cause for concern when he was caught leg before 2 deliveries later.  Cary Frame took the attack to Lisburn crashing 2 boundaries before Ferguson clean bowled him for 12.  Nathan Crozier look to steady the ship pinching singles throughout a damp outfield but he was bowled again by Ferguson for 14.  Matthew Bann offered some resistance with a watchful 7 until Surgeon claimed his off – stump. 
 
At this stage parents and supporters were beginning to get nervous especially as Jack Harrison was bowled by Hylands for 4 and Philip Wilson  was caught off the bowling of McCallen, also for 4.  At this stage Lisburn were back in the hunt but the extras total was continuing to rise and with Chris Johns flashing hard at one end, it was left to Matthew McCormick to hit the winning runs.
 
Both teams played well throughout a tense game and they both have to be congratulated for playing in difficult conditions.
 
The Tigers will now travel to Dublin YM in the All Ireland final for the David R Pigot Memorial Cup.