Maguire the master for Dundrum in cup

Maguire the master for Dundrum in cup

8 May 2013

DUNDRUM got their 2013 season off to a great start on Saturday with a victory over Templepatrick in the first round of the Challenge Cup.

The six wicket victory, inspired by man-of-the-match Joel Maguire, has set up a mouth-watering second round home tie with cup favourites Waringstown at the Meadow.

The big-hitting Obus Pienear will be eagerly eyeing the short Dundrum boundaries and the local batsmen will have their hands full with Ireland bowler, Phil Eaglestone, in what should be a great day on May 25.

On Saturday, Templepatrick won the toss and batted and on a slow outfield a score of 150 was the target.

But the villagers boost a strong bowling line-up this season made up of pace bowlers Lee Connor, Mark Yeates, Andy Bassett and Kester Baptiste and spinners Joel Maguire and Gavin McNerlin and they immediately put a stranglehold on the visitors.

Connor had Templepatrick skipper Richard Greer caught by Dundrum captain Alan Tormey while Yeates bowled Artie Campbell in an opening spell of five overs, three maidens, one for seven.

The visitors found themselves 16 for two after six overs and there was further bad news when Australian coach, Warren Clunes, was trapped lbw by Maguire off the spinner’s first ball.

Dundrum stayed on top, despite four ped catches, and with skipper Tormey rotating the bowlers, the batsmen had little chance to settle. Baptiste took two for 35 off his ten overs and Maguire hit the stumps twice on his way to figures of three for 20 off 10 overs.

With the visitors sitting on 68 for seven, Dundrum were hopeful of wrapping the innings up in style. But a late order fightback through Jordy Ferris (17) and Andy McCrea (13), took them to respectability before the innings closed on 110.

Bassett bowled well towards the end of the innings, taking two for 12 off four overs.

Dundrum openers, Gavin McNerlin and Alan Tormey started steadily and had few problems before Tormey fell for 19 trying a reverse sweep with the total on 37.

Andy Bassett had scored just seven before he fell for seven bringing young Scott Symington to the crease who belied his age and lack of practice by grinding away as McNerlin pushed the score along.

McNerlin looked to be heading for a 50 before he gave Warren Clunes a catch, falling for 38, the top score of the day, Baptiste went for seven before Joel Maguire finished the innings out with four boundaries in six balls for a fine 17 not out.

• The Dundrum CC golf classic fundraiser will take place at Downpatrick Golf Club on Friday, May 24 — tees off times are 1.00-5.30pm. The cost for a fourball is £80 and anyone interested in playing, or in tee sponsorship at £25, should contact Jeff Maguire on 07730 334479.