Downpatrick victory over Monaghan

Downpatrick victory over Monaghan

6 July 2022

AFTER three successive league defeats, Downpatrick showed some of their early season form when they overwhelmed a plucky Monaghan side by 173 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis system.

The stars of the show were Gavin Ringland and James Ferguson, who both scored maiden centuries as Downpatrick racked up an impressive 310 for 3 off their 40 overs.

Charlie Hutton won the toss for Downpatrick and, as usual, decided to bat first. Hutton and Estiaan Schonfeldt opened the batting and after Schonfeldt had crashed two fours and a six off the first three balls Hutton fell to a dubious lbw decision. It seemed there was a big inside edge, but he fell with Downpatrick on 9 for 1.

Young Jake Wright was elevated in the batting order to try to get Downpatrick off to a quick start, but when he was caught without scoring, Downpatrick were 17 for 2.

Ferguson came in at No 4 and along with Schonfeldt added 76 in 13 overs before Schonfeldt was caught and bowled for 62 from 68 balls, his innings including eight fours.

At 93 for 3 Downpatrick were in a good position — ideal for Ringland to come with 22 overs to bat.

Up to this point Ferguson had been happy to let Schonfeldt have most of the strike, but now he decided it was time to up the run rate and he went to his 50 off 60 balls.

At the opposite end Ringland raced to his half century off 47 balls and with ten overs left Downpatrick were 179 for 3.

The last 60 balls proved to be a race between the batsmen to see if either, or both, could reach three figures and the runs absolutely flew off their bats.

Ringland reached his first century after 35 years of playing cricket off 72 balls and the roar from players and supporters was enormous.

With one ball left in the innings Ferguson played an exquisite cover drive for three to also reach three figures, although there was some confusion with the scoreboard and he was not aware of his achievement until he reached the dressing room.

The pair had put on 131 runs in the last ten overs and their partnership over 22 overs was worth 217. Ferguson hit 13 fours and two sixes, while Ringland blasted three fours and seven sixes.

With the weather looking threatening, Downpatrick had to bowl 15 overs to get a result under  Duckworth/Lewis.

Schonfeldt bowled off two strides and with Martin Gartland managed to bowl nine overs in 25 minutes before the rain came.

With Schonfeldt taking two wickets after nine overs Monaghan were 60 runs behind on Duckworth/Lewis. After a 35-minute delay Monaghan had an unlikely revised target of 274, but they collapsed to 101 all out in 27 overs.

Jake Wright (2), Andy Bell (3), Schonfeldt (2), Hutton and Matthew Lennon (2) shared the wickets in a resounding victory which will do wonders for Downpatrick’s net run rate.

Match ball sponsored by Brian Rea. Downpatrick travel to Larne this Saturday.

Downpatrick Cricket Club would like to congratulate their former player, Jareth McCready, who is now on the international panel of umpires. He stood in his first game last Tuesday when Ireland took on India in a one-day international and put in an outstanding display.