MUCKAMORE spurned a further opportunity on the final day of the season to finish third in Section Two when they suffered a second successive defeat against Holywood at Moylena on Sunday.

In an extraordinary climax to the campaign, Muckamore, after being given a 33-runs start by Conor Breet and Leslie Allen, collapsed in spectacular style.

Three wickets tumbled while the total remained stationary at 33, one more fell at 35 and there were a further two dismissals at 38. Eventually, Muckamore, without top bats Brian Baguley and Brian Dunlop, were bowled out for 89. Seamus Sharkey inflicted most of the damage, taking four for 16 in 10 overs, David Kennedy returned figures of three for 22 and former Ireland bowler Michael Shannon took two for 10.

Holywood knocked off the runs for the loss of four wickets. Amazingly, however, the leading contributor to their total of 90 for four was the 47 in the "extras" column. Most unacceptably, 25 wides were delivered.

The visitors, who were in the lower region of the table throughout the season, defeated Saintfield on Saturday and this win guaranteed their safety. Dundrum, despite beating Lurgan and Armagh at the weekend, will make an instant return to Section III, along with Armagh.

Summaried scores: Muckamore 89 all out [C. Breet 19, S. Stephenson 17]; Holywood 90 for four [P. Maxwell 36 not out, N. Gill 2-14].

Muckamore are holding their annual dinner and prize presentation in the Moylena clubrooms on Friday night.