Carrickfergus vs Bangor – Saturday 1st August
Bangor 1st XI were left wondering what might have been after falling agonisingly short in a high-scoring NCU Section 1 thriller against Carrickfergus at Middle Road on Saturday, eventually losing by just three runs after a remarkable chase.
After Carrickfergus won the toss and elected to bat, the home side piled up an imposing 340-4 from their 50 overs. Michael Gilmour got the innings moving with a fluent 44 before George Prince claimed the opening breakthrough. Iain Parkhill added 35, but it was a superb third-wicket partnership between Eian Marillier and Atish Varape that swung the contest firmly in Carrickfergus’ favour.
Marillier produced an outstanding 115 from 116 deliveries, striking 13 fours and six sixes before Mark Best ended his innings. Varape was equally destructive, finishing unbeaten on 104 from just 71 balls, while Alex Haggan added a quickfire unbeaten 12 as the hosts closed on an imposing total.
Bangor’s bowlers stuck to their task despite the difficult conditions. Prince delivered an excellent spell of 1-30 from his ten overs, while Angus Farrell, Brodie Harrison and Mark Best each picked up a wicket.
Faced with a daunting target of 341, Bangor’s reply suffered an early setback when Sam McMillan fell for 2. Sebastian Yeates briefly counter-attacked with 14 before Brodie Harrison and Mark Hutchinson transformed the innings.
Harrison played a composed knock of 69 from 70 balls, including four fours and six maximums, helping rebuild the chase before departing with the score well placed. Ian Butler contributed 14, but it was Hutchinson who produced one of the innings of the season. Displaying both power and patience, he struck a magnificent 114 from just 101 deliveries, clearing the ropes once and finding the boundary 13 times as Bangor kept pace with the required rate.
Andrew Kirkpatrick added 19 before Adam McCusker’s lively 34 from 24 balls injected further momentum. The game seemingly turned on its head though with the unfortunate run out of Hutchinson while Angus Farrell chipped in with 22. Entering the final over, 14 Runs were required with just 1 Wicket remaining and numbers 10 & 11 at the crease, victory seemed to be slipping away for Bangor. Prince & Pyper though managed to get themselves into position entering the last ball where victory was possible with 4 required. Arbuthnot though held his nerve sticking to his full and wide plan and managed to deliver a dot ball and Carrickfergus the winners by 3 Runs.
Although the result ultimately went against them, Bangor can take immense encouragement from an outstanding batting display that pushed one of the league’s strongest sides all the way. Hutchinson’s superb century, backed by Harrison’s aggressive half-century and valuable contributions throughout the order, ensured a contest that will be remembered as one of the most entertaining matches of the Section 1 season.
Carrickfergus 340-4 (50 overs, M Gilmour 44, I Parkhill 35, E Marillier 115, A Varape 104*)
Bangor 337-9 (50 overs, B Harrison 69, M Hutchinson 114, A McCusker 34, A Farrell 22, R Hood 2-65, A Varape 3-72)
Carrickfergus beat Bangor by 3 runs
Bangor 2XI vs Lisburn 3XI – Saturday 1st August
Bangor 2’s were looking to get back to winnings way at Upritchard Park on Saturday following a couple of defeats but again came up short in a game that was there to be won.
As is now expected the toss was lost and Lisburn opted to make first use of the excellent surface putting on 46 for the first wicket before Bates removed Martelli in the 7th over. Lisburn then built a strong partnership between McCann(50) and Harland (31) before they were both removed by the outstanding Jacob Campbell.
Making his debut for the 2nd XI it was a day to remember for Campbell as he came to the rescue with an impressive 6-34 including 2 in 2 balls which really put the breaks on a Lisburn innings which threatened to get away.
After 30 overs Bangor were set a target of 200 to win which should have been a routine given the excellent conditions at Upritchard however after McCullough was out in the 7th over things started to go downhill. Keenan fell next to an excellent catch and with Patterson and McMillan going cheaply the home side were struggling at 51-4 after 12 overs.
There was some hope when Rayner came to the crease and he batted well for his 30 however, was unfortunately run out at the non strikers end backing up when the bowler got a hand to a shot from Campbell who was at the crease following an identical run out of Merriman.
Bangor stayed in the game however, a very impressive knock by man of the match Jacob Campbell (35) wasn’t enough to reach the target and at the end of the game Bangor were 45 runs short.
A disappointing result but we will look to put that right next Saturday with an away trip to BISC.
Lisburn 3 199 (30 overs, J Martelli 25, D McCann 50, C Harland 31, R Ali 25, J Andrews 25, J Bates 2-42, J Campbell 6-34)
Bangor 2 154 (29.1 overs, D Rayner 30, J Campbell 35, S Caddell 3-20, J Martelli 3-22)
Lisburn 3 beat Bangor 2 by 45 runs
