Dundrum see off Downpatrick aces

Dundrum see off Downpatrick aces

10 July 2013

DUNDRUM pulled off a fantastic win over their derby rivals Downpatrick on Saturday, but it was the manner of victory that was so impressive.

Things looked bleak for Dundrum at the halfway stage as they only scored 128 in 43 overs, but the villagers know that the Meadow is one of the few grounds that small scores can be defended.

Dundrum batted first on a flat, easy paced wicket and definitely found runs hard to come by as both Jancan Adams and Johnny Wheeler were both on the spot, giving up only 21 runs came in ten overs.

It was Adams who got both Jack Woods (12) and Gavin McNerlin (11) and the next wicket was Rodney Hassard’s fault as he called Rahi Kakade for a suicide single just after losing two wickets in two balls.

Kakade not amused as he has been in top form with the bat this season.

Downpatrick, with good support, were all over Dundrum with Paul Tate enjoying his spell from the river end, 5 for 41 off 10 overs, as the home side simply giving their wickets away.

Hassard, in fairness, got his head down and tried to make amends by grinding out a score. He lofted Wheeler for a cracking six over long on, but on 26 he attempted the same shot and Danny Carson took a well judged catch.

Carson repeated this moments later when he caught Andy Bassett (15) off Tate’s bowling. Only James Martin (14) and a vastly improved Mark Yeates (13) played sensibly as Dundrum posted 128, which looked a long way short.

Downpatrick lost Paul Tate bowled by Mark Yeates, but it was Andy Bassett who stepped up to the mark, producing a superb straight 10 overs, three wickets for just nine runs.

He got Ryan Smyth, who played well for 24, and then removed the dangerous James Magowan. Joel Maguire bowled South African Jancan Adams to leave Downpatrick under pressure at 58 for 5.

Dundrum’s partnership breaker and last year’s leading wicket taker, Gavin McNerlin, was all fired up and he again was quickly in the wickets getting Alistair Cairns (16) lbw.

Ben McIlroy (11) was trapped leg before by Kakade as Downpatrick made the fatal error of playing on the back foot.

Gavin McNerlin then got both Danny Carson and when Johnny Wheeler was caught by man of the match Andy Bassett, which made his day against his former team-mates, Dundrum had won by 30 runs.

Downpatrick batted very poorly as there was still 17 overs left, but derby games are always hard fought and full off nerves and tension.

However, it was a massive win for Dundrum on a cracking hot summer’s day with Rahi Kakade enjoying his debut as stand in captain.

• Match ball sponsored by the Strand Bakery, Newcastle.