Downpatrick in win over leaders

Downpatrick in win over leaders

12 August 2015

DOWNPATRICK kept their hopes of promotion to the Premier League alive with a convincing seven-wicket win over Section 1 leaders Derriaghy at the Strangford Road on Saturday.

Despite losing the services of Amit Patil, who had to return home to India earlier than anticipated, it was a mix of the old and new Downpatrick cricketers that plotted the downfall of Derriaghy.

Stand-in captain Paul Tate invited Derriaghy to open proceedings with the bat, and this decision was justified when Tate claimed the early wickets of openers Matty Ballantyne (0) and Adam Jamison (9), to leave the scoreboard reading 15-2 from seven overs.

Jordan Wade heightened Derriaghy’s plight with two wickets, removing Peter Bell (6) and Indian professional Kaushik Aphale (15) in quick succession to reduce the visitors to 53-4 from 16 overs.

Craig Lewis blasted 33 runs from 27 deliveries to advance the Derriaghy total to 81. However, he was clean bowled by a triumphant Mark Yeates in the 22nd over.

Following a drinks break, the introduction of Dale Mullan into the Downpatrick bowling attack paid immediate dividends when he struck twice to dismiss Andy Kenny (1) and Curtis Moorhead (16).

This was followed up by a wicket for Thomas Magowan in the 33rd over, removing Robert Cumins (14) thanks to the quick reflexes of wicketkeeper Craig Boultwood.

The Derriaghy tail-enders added a handful of runs, however Mark Stinson (3) and Wayne Hughes (5) were both dismissed by Mark Yeates before any momentum could be generated. The visitors slumped to a total of 120 all out in the 38th over.

Downpatrick’s response began very positively. Dale Mullan was accompanied to the crease by first XI debutant Ian Vallely and the pair shared a thoroughly professional stand of 100 runs to push the hosts to within touching distance of their target.

Mullan had just celebrated reaching his half century (from 96 deliveries) when he was clean bowled by Peter Bell.

The Paul Tate was almost immediately undone by the pace bowling of Bell as Downpatrick were reduced to 113-2.

Vallely, a native of Australia, capped a fine debut for Downpatrick when he reached his maiden half-century for the club in the 34th over from 97 balls.

However, Craig Lewis exacted some revenge on the Australian when he clean bowled Vallely one over later.

It was left to Craig Boultwood (5*) and Ryan Smyth (9*) to add the final runs to the scoreboard, with Downpatrick passing the required total with ease in the 37th over.

A significant victory for Downpatrick, who now lie in second place in the NCU Section 1 table, just eight points behind Derriaghy and with a game in hand.

The Strangford Road men will be looking to continue their chase towards the league title when they travel to Uprichard Park to face Bangor this Saturday.

Downpatrick: D Mullan, I Vallely, P Tate (c), C Boultwood (wk), R Smyth, G Ringland, J Wade, D Carson, M Yeates, T Magowan, J Perry. UPS Man of the Match: Dale Mullan.