Ryan to the fore as Downpatrick win

Ryan to the fore as Downpatrick win

10 May 2017

DOWNPATRICK followed their memorable opening day victory over Bangor with another big win, this time at home to Lurgan.

Ryan Smyth continued his magnificent early season form, this time with bat and ball.

Downpatrick won the toss and with The Meadow looking in great shape and Craig Boultwood had no hesitation in batting first. 

However, for the second game in a row they got off to a shaky start. Dale Mullan was run out for five and Ross Boultwood was caught for three to leave the score on 23-2. 

Craig Boultwood came in at four and made a positive start, helping himself to a couple of early boundaries courtesy of free hits from Lurgan no balls. 

Jordan Wade was next to be dismissed for 16 which brought Smyth to the crease. He went to the wicket full of confidence on the back of his record 249 not out a week previously. 

They took the score to 70 before Craig Boultwood was adjudged lbw for 29.

Smyth continued to score freely and with wickets falling at the other end, any chance of a respectable total lay with completely on him. 

Chris Gilmore, batting at 9, kept Ryan company and chipped in with a helpful 17 runs, including a six which cleared the clubhouse. 

Their partnership of 44 took the home side to 145 before Smyth was eventually dismissed for a crucial 62 runs for his team, a score which included five fours and two sixes. 

The innings closed 156 all out, a disappointing total with the pitch playing well.

Lurgan would have come out fancying their chances of chasing a small total on a good pitch with a fast outfield.

However, Downpatrick, with possibly the best bowling attack in the league, had other ideas. 

Smyth struck first in the second over, removing Grieves for no score, and Ross Boultwood then took two wickets, bowling fast in the third over.

His first victim was caught at second slip by Chris Martin at chest height, nearly on the 30-yard circle. He then shattering the stumps of the Lurgan number four to leave the visitors struggling at 0-3. 

Smyth dismissed the last two established Lurgan batsman Chambers and Maxwell in a fiery opening spell which left Lurgan with no answers at 49-5. 

The father-and-son combination of Colin and Thomas Magowan crushed any hope of a Lurgan comeback with a remarkable clean-up job, taking the last five wickets for only one run to dismiss Lurgan for 50. 

Colin finished his spell with 3-7 and Thomas 2-11 in an accurate spell of off spin bowling. The final victory margin was 106 runs.

Downpatrick face Dundrum from Dublin in the Irish National Cup on Saturday at home and will look to continue what has been a fine start to their season.