Kester blasts Dundrum by Drumaness in derby

Kester blasts Dundrum by Drumaness in derby

20 May 2015

THERE was derby delight for Dundrum on Sunday in Section 2 when they beat Drumaness by 86 runs.

This was down mainly to one of the finest displays of power hitting spectators have seen at The Meadow as Kester Baptiste scored a fantastic 135 runs, including ten big sixes, three ended up in the field above the ground and seven fours.

Drumaness started well as Dundrum struggled with tidy line and length bowling. Neil Walsh bowled the injured Lee Connor, but Joel Maguire (27) looked more settled and lofted two straight sixes.

However, in attempting a third, he was out to a spectacular catch by a diving Gary Moore with the total on 42 for 2 off 14 overs. 

Dundrum’s captain and talisman, Gavin McNerlin, simply read the situation and started grafting out a total, but West Indian Baptiste had other ideas as they put on 70 runs in 11 overs.

Baptiste got his half century and at drinks Dundrum were 112 for 2  off  25 overs. Drumaness looked tired as two fixtures over the weekend takes its toll, but they got McNerlin for a patient knock. Baptiste really went for it now and blasted the ball to every part of the ground, into the car park and out of the field with a destructive display of batting.

The talented all rounder was out for 135 after batting for 27 overs and scoring off 94 balls  which left him two runs short of Rodney Hassard’s club record 137.

Dundrum’s Andrew Foster lofted another six into the river in his 19 and James Martin scored ten with the villagers posting 268 for 9 in 50 overs with Neil Walsh the pick of the bowling taking 4 for 30 off 10 and another two brilliant catches from Gary Walsh. Drumaness started in positive fashion with James Cunningham (29) looking in good nick, but he was out to a stunning catch from 14 year-old Stuart Campbell. Maguire (2 for 34) then got the prized wicket of Neil Gelston (12) as Drumaness fell deeper into bother.

Drumaness, to their credit, didn’t go down without a real fight. Gary Walsh batted really well for 40 with man of the match Baptiste (2 for 26) getting him and Darren Oldroyd (23)  and change of ends helped Daniel Woods get another couple of wickets (2 for 32).

Greg Stewart (1 for 10) and brothers Stuart (1 for 10) and Stephen Campbell, getting his first senior wicket with his second ball, contributed well as Dundrum coasted to victory.