Downpatrick cup run over

Downpatrick cup run over

27 June 2012

DOWNPATRICK have missed out on a Challenge Cup semi-final spot after going down by five wickets to North Down at the Strangford Road on Sunday.

The home side put in a spirited performance against their Premier League rivals and will take heart from the fact that they competed toe-to-toe throughout against one of Ireland’s strongest club sides.

Following dismal weather conditions last week, there was doubt surrounding whether this match would go ahead at all.

However the Downpatrick’s grounds staff, led by Gavin Ringland, worked tirelessly to provide a ground which was in excellent condition considering the recent rainfall.

North Down won the toss and elected to put the home side in to bat first. Downpatrick’s opening pair, Ben McIlroy and Paul Tate, batted patiently on their way to a 66-run partnership, before Tate was stumped off the bowling of Ryan Haire, departing for a gutsy 23.

Downpatrick mainstay Dale Mullan joined McIlroy in the middle, and the pair pushed Downpatrick towards the century mark. McIlroy was dismissed five runs short of his half century, when he was clean bowled by Martin Moreland, leaving Downpatrick on 95-2.

Mullan remained at the crease, and he passed his half-century soon after. James Magowan scored 11 before he was caught off the bowling of Peter Eakin, with the score on 150-3. Eakin struck again soon after, removing Mullan for an impressive 64.

Aaaron Ferris (11) and Justin Rea (18) scored some crucial runs before both fell victims to Eakin’s pace bowling, with the North Down man finishing up with fine figures of 4-53 from his 10 overs.

Gavin Ringland (9) added runs before he was trapped leg before by Moreland; the North Down man ended with strong figures of 4-34.

Downpatrick batted the entire 50 overs, but were all out for 204. Considering the strong start made, this was perhaps a disappointing final total.

Despite having regular opener Neil Russell missing due to injury, North Down’s response started well. Ali Shields and Andrew Sutherland batted strongly for the Comber side and the half-century was reached in just the 10th over.

One over later, Shields departed for a brisk 44 after being caught at long on by Dan Carson off the bowling of Colin Magowan.

Ryan Haire joined Sutherland in the middle, and the pair guided North Down past the century mark in the 20th over. Sutherland was back in the pavilion soon after, following a good catch by Justin Rea off Dan Carson’s spin bowling.

Peter Eakin joined Haire at the crease, but this partnership was broken by Dale Mullan, who dismissed Haire for 22. After 25 overs, the match was finely balanced with North Down on 114-3.

Eakin soon signalled his intent with the bat by scoring a number of massive boundaries. Johnny Terrett departed soon after though, being run out following some impressive fielding by Aaron Cairns.

Nathan Burns became Mullan’s second victim of the day when he was trapped leg before. Mullan eventually finished with figures of 2-28 from 10 overs.

Crucially, Eakin remained at the crease, and he passed his half century with consummate ease in the 38th over. By now, North Down were in sight of victory with the score on 171-5.

The required total was reached in the 41st over, with Eakin (69 not out) and Peter Shields (9 not out) seeing the Comber men over the line and setting up a semi-final with Lisburn.

• UPS Man of the Match: Dale Mullan.