Gartland in fine form for out of luck Downpatrick

Gartland in fine form for out of luck Downpatrick

29 July 2020

ARMAGH travelled to Downpatrick on Sunday and their skipper, Matthew Steenson, had no hesitation in asking the home side to bat after winning the toss.

For once Downpatrick’s aggressive batsmen failed to fire and at the end of the fifth over the locals had slumped to 18 for 4.

With Ross Boultwood, Ryan Smyth, Jordan Wade and Gavin Ringland all back in the pavilion, Michael Carson and Craig Boultwood set about rebuilding the innings and were content to score between five and six an over.

In the 11th over Downpatrick suffered two catastrophic run-outs in successive balls. Firstly, Carson was out for an excellent 20 and then Jack Martin was run out without facing a ball.

In the next over Martin Gartland was out without scoring and Downpatrick had slumped from 54 for 4 to 55 for 7.

Craig Boultwood tried to guard the tail and was last man out for 29 (one six) as Downpatrick finished their 20 overs on 93 for 9.

Ben Mackey was by far the pick of the Armagh bowlers with superb figures of 3 for 5 off his four overs.

Downpatrick’s opening attack of Ross Boultwood and Mark Yeates bowled superbly and kept the pressure on the Armagh openers, Neil Gelston and Jamie Rogers.

After the opening burst Craig Boultwood and Martin Gartland were brought on and once again Gartland struck in his first over, trapping Rogers lbw for 18. In his second over he had Harry Boyd superbly caught by Chris Gilmore.

Matthew Steenson and Gelston seemed to be steering Armagh to an easy victory before Steenson was out to an outstanding catch by Michael Carson for eight to leave the visitors on 49 for 3.

Downpatrick knew they had an outside chance of winning, but Gelston was still there, picking off two or three singles an over. However, when he was caught by Ryan Smyth off Ross Boultwood, Armagh still needed 24 off four overs.

Downpatrick took the match down to the last over, but Uzman Azhar scored 18 before being bowled by Mark Yeates.

Armagh needed two off the last ball and Ben Mackey managed to edge it past Ryan Smyth. Armagh had triumphed by three wickets.

Martin Gartland was again head and shoulders above the other Downpatrick bowlers, finishing with outstanding figures of 3 for 4. Ross Boultwood also bowled brilliantly, finishing with 2 for 134.

Downpatrick play Ballymena tomorrow evening and travel to Saintfield on Saturday.