Down High double delight

Down High double delight

3 July 2019

THERE was double delight at Down High School last week when the school’s first X1 lifted the Schools’ Plate following a win over Bangor Grammar and the Year 8 side won the Wesley Ferris Cup final with a victory over Lurgan Junior High.

The senior team travelled to Uprichard Park on a glorious  afternoon last Thursday.

Down High won the toss and put Bangor into bat. They soon had the home side in trouble at 43 for in the tenth over, Stuart Campbell doing the damage, taking 4 for 15 runs in his five overs, ably supported by Corey McGuire, bowling his five overs for 19 runs.

Bangor rallied at this point with some big hitting from their lower order batsmen, finally reaching a total of 138 runs in their 25 overs. 

Down High went into bat in reply with Stuart Campbell and Christy Lindsay opening the batting. Both batsmen set about the task in a positive manner with Campbell especially hitting out. 

Lindsay was eventually bowled for 16 runs and that brought Conor Moag to the wicket, scoring a quick seven, getting out to a good catch. Joe Dooley was next in and he batted steadily until Stuart Campbell got out for an excellent 30 runs scored. 

This then brought Charlie Hutton to the wicket. Hutton and Dooley then set about the bowling with Hutton in particular opening with a four and two sixes in his first over. Dooley was eventually out for 26 and Hutton for 27. Corey McGuire came in to bat and scored 14 quick runs, keeping Down High up with the run chase. 

Two wickets fell quickly, leaving Rhodri Phillips and Tom Crudgington (both year 10 pupils) at the wicket, with Down High needing five runs from the last over to win the match.

Tom hit two runs off the first ball with the next being a dot ball. This left three runs from the last four balls, but the next two deliveries were on the money, leaving Down High still requiring three runs off the last two balls. 

Crudgington took a single off the the penultimate ball, which turned into two runs following an overthrow.

The scores were now tied, but Crudgington held his nerve and drove the final delivery of the game through point to secure a brilliant victory.

A special mention to the Upper Sixth boys who have served Down High cricket extremely well for the last few years, this was a fitting end to their cricket for Down High School.

A special mention also to Greg Hutley who unfortunately wasn’t able to play because of previous commitments.

The Year 8s also won on the road when they lifted the Wesley Ferris Cup at Pollock Park, home of Lurgan Cricket Club. 

Lurgan won the toss and put Down High into bat. Down High managed a total of 84 runs in their 20 overs with Will McNeilly top scoring with 18 runs.

In the Lurgan innings, their top four batsmen were extremely strong, scoring 68 runs for four wickets with eight overs left. 

Down High captain, Tom Martin, decided to bowl his top four bowlers out in an attempt to break the partnership. This plan proved successful, with McNeilly taking three wickets for eight runs in his four overs.

This left Lurgan needing 16 runs in the last four overs to win the match.

Spencer Hay was brought on to bowl and he took two wickets with his first two balls. Ben Cassidy then came on to bowl, also taking two wickets in his first over. The final play of the game was an excellent run out by George Thompson.

This Year 8 group are a talented bunch of cricketers who have performed well as a team all season with everyone making a contribution at some point.  The future of Down High Cricket looks positive. 

A special mention to coach Maurice Irvine, who has made huge contribution to the game at the school and the way he gets the he best out of the boys.

He has kept the spirit of the game alive at Down High School and continues to supply players to Saintfield, Dundrum and Downpatrick Cricket Clubs where so many of the boys play at club level.