Seconds enjoy positive finish

Seconds enjoy positive finish

24 September 2025

DOWNPATRICK seconds rounded off their season in emphatic fashion, brushing Armagh thirds aside by seven wickets to claim their ninth victory in a row. 

The result capped off a remarkable turnaround for the side, who struggled at the beginning of the campaign but finished as one of the league’s form teams.

Armagh skipper Keith Wilson won the toss and elected to bat — a decision that looked promising thanks to a superb Oliver Mann half-century. 

Mann anchored the innings with a determined 50 off 44 balls, striking three boundaries and a six, and was largely responsible for guiding his side to a competitive total. 

Only Jack Beggs (17) offered meaningful support, as wickets fell regularly against a disciplined Downpatrick attack.

The bowling honours belonged to Moncy Payickattuvelil, whose accurate spell of 3 for 14 dismantled the middle order, while Jijo Mathew (1/11) and Jacob Vinod (1/20) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. Armagh eventually closed on 96 for 7 from their 14 overs.

In reply, Downpatrick wasted little time in the chase. Jobin Jacob got things moving quickly, with 10 from five balls, before Lijo Sebastian took centre stage. 

The wicketkeeper-batsman struck a breezy 27 from 18 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six, to put his side firmly in control. 

From there, Syam Rajmohan (19 not out) and Aaron Ferris (16 not out) guided Downpatrick home with ease, the winning runs coming with more than five overs to spare.

For Armagh, Garry Archer (2/24) was the pick of the bowlers, removing both openers, but his efforts were not enough to halt the rampant visitors.

The match also carried extra significance for Downpatrick. With regular captain Gavin Ringland absent, club manager Ravi Ningegowda took charge of the side. 

The win ensured a perfect finish to their season, though the club still awaits the Northern Cricket Union’s decision on two contested results from earlier in the campaign. Ningegowda expressed thanks to all the players who played this season, to Gavin Ringland, for captaining the side this season, and to Lijo Mathew, who coordinated all the travel for players on match days.

Crucially, this late-season surge of victories means Downpatrick seconds have maintained their place in the league, successfully avoiding relegation fears while also staying clear of promotion contention. 

After a difficult start, the team found consistency at the right time, showing both resilience and determination to consolidate their position for next year.

Regardless of the outcome of the pending results, Downpatrick’s run of nine successive victories stands as a testament to the momentum they built in the latter half of the year.

The match ball was kindly sponsored by Castle Sports World — a gesture that is much appreciated by the club.