Unlucky Saintfield lose out in high scoring contest

17 July 2013

SAINTFIELD welcomed Bangor to the Demesne on Saturday and on a hot sunny day the visitors won the toss and chose to bat.

Sofley and Harrison opened the bowling and didn’t bowl badly, but Nixon and Parker were happy to take singles and run hard between the wickets.

With the score on 86, Telford got the breakthrough by getting Parker stumped for 38. C. Burns joined Nixon and these two upped the rate with more boundaries coming via the very quick outfield.

It was the introduction of McGuire which changed things as he got Nixon for a marvellous 81, then Burns for 47 and Law for 4, leaving Bangor on 217-4 with eight overs left.

Woodruff and Murray both came back on and this pair slowed the run rate down by taking wickets. Woodruff trapped Hutchinson lbw and bowled McCusker, while Murray got McLarnon and Kwelu caught in the last over to leave Bangor on 271-9.

Saintfield knew it would be a tough ask but with a new positive attitude and a quick outfield they also knew they were capable of chasing 272.

They got off to the worst possible start when McCann was removed by Kwelu. It all changed when Harrison and Stewart settled in as the boundaries flowed and both brought up excellent fifties.

They continued on their way until Harrison edged Nixon for 75 and then Burns bowled Stewart for 64.

With the score on 162-3, Saintfield only needed a run a ball as there was still 20 overs to bat.

But it all fell away as nobody was able to stay with Woodruff, who lost McCavery (12), Owens (15) and Patterson (10).

Still needing 40 from five overs, it was going to be close until Woodruff was out for 30.

Saintfield were all out for 256, leaving them 14 runs short and defeated for only the second time this year.

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