Downpatrick on winning streak

Downpatrick on winning streak

29 June 2016

DOWNPATRICK continued their excellent start to the season, moving to seven wins from seven games, with a comprehensive eight wicket victory over Saintfield at the Demesne on Saturday.

The game was in doubt after vandalism to the Saintfield covers left the pitch damp, but an overnight break from the rain meant the game went ahead at the scheduled time. 

Craig Boultwood won the toss for Downpatrick and had no hesitation ing Saintfield in to bat. 

Alistair Graham and Ross Boultwood opened the bowling for the away side, both bowling accurately and getting regular seam movement off the pitch. Graham was first to strike with Tommy Stewart looking to force the scoring rate, but only managing to pick out the safe hands of Amit Patil. 

This brought the Saintfield professional Hasin Ramanayake to the crease and it wasn’t long until a virtual copy of the first dismissal brought an end to his innings, bowled Graham and caught Patil for 7. 

Ross Boultwood did for Ryan McConnell with a sharp rising delivery which caught the batsman’s glove and was safely pouched by brother Craig. 

Credit must go to both opening bowlers who went for 33 runs in their 20-over opening spell. Mark Yeates, bowling with a shoulder injury, could only manage two overs, but he did take the wicket of Andrew McCavera and did not go for any runs. 

Gareth Harrison fought valiantly for his 12 before he was dismissed by Thomas Magowan and at 35-5  it was very much an uphill task for the home team.

Richard Owens and Adam Sofley put together a partnership of 33 as they fought to get to a total to give their bowlers a chance, but Dale Mullan dismissed Sofley for 12 and then Kerr for 0 in consecutive deliveries, both caught up to the stumps by Boultwood to leave  Saintfield on 69-7. 

Owens played some shots in the search for quick runs, but with Mullan striking again in consecutive deliveries and then removing Owens for 42, Saintfield finally ended their innings on 95 all out, Dale Mullan finishing with impressive figures of 5-23.

Ricky Gill and Dale Mullan opened the batting for Downpatrick in pursuit of the 96 runs required for victory. 

Mullan fell early to the bowling of Adam Sofley which brought the Amit Patil to the crease. Both battled hard on a tough wicket and played positively when the ball was there to be hit, Gill was particularly strong on anything short as he pulled well through mid-wicket. Unfortunately, he fell seven short of a deserved half century.

Craig Boultwood joined Patil and there were to be no further wickets as Downpatrick cruised to an eight-wicket win and keep their Premier League promotion hopes well and truly alive. 

Downpatrick host Armagh on Saturday in the league and Woodvale on Sunday in the Ulster Shield. Saintfield are away to Bangor on Saturday and away to Academy on Sunday. 

Saintfield’s match ball sponsored was by Mrs Marie Murray.