A Win and a Loss in the Cups but a Pyper Fifer the Highlight
9 min read
Bangor vs Derriaghy – T20 Trophy
Bangor whistled Derriaghy at an overcast yet enchanting Upritchard Park for a quarter-final clash of the Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy. The overcast conditions lent themselves well to bowling and skipper Jonny Parker claimed the first victory of the day by winning the toss and electing to bowl.
The game began in a light drizzle, but any Bangor indifference to playing in such conditions swiftly ceased, as Connor Brown delivered the ball right down the corridor of uncertainty. The ball nipped back and took the bails off the top of middle stump, removing “Aghy” skipper Bailey for a duck. It would not take long for Brown to claim his second removing the other opener, Glover, in similar fashion and wheeling off in a celebration which may be better suited to an evening in Grand Social rather than the hallowed turf of Upritchard Park, although, the two are easily confused due to the similarly buoyant atmospheres that they possess.
Derriaghy’s overseas Adams was now at the crease and attempted to take control of the innings, however as rain continued to fall and he seemed to not be accustomed to such inclement weather. If anything, the Bangorian spirit was augmented by such adverse conditions as our heroes battled on.
At this point a small partnership was developing and Adams looked to add greater impetus to the innings off the beguiling bowling of the star-spangled spinner. The ball was sent aloft in the direction of Manav Chhabra. Those who have become accquainted with Chhabra in his time at the club, will know him as a walking fine, albeit loveable, thus when the ball was sent heavenward and was coming down in his direction, a hush came over the ground. Chhabra showed great hustle and dedication, haring after the ball as if his life depended on it and alas, he claimed the catch; the Bangor men ran amuck. Adams departed for 22 and Derriaghy were now 44-3.
The next passage of play was game defining. Pyper came on to bowl his second over, with the first ball he nipped it off the seam drawing the edge from Scott, Kirkpatrick obliged with a cooly taken catch behind the stumps, Bangor were now firmly in the driver’s seat. Pyper was not done, with his fifth ball he nipped it again with an adept application of wobble seam. Again, Kirkpatrick obliged. Derriaghy were now 45-5 and reeling. Simpson kept things tight at the other end and Pyper returned to bowl his third with an indefatigable pep in his step.
Bowling sharp, beating the bat and putting the pressure on the batsmen, Pyper would have a third caught behind as the ball moved in significantly and nipped away off the seam, as he and Kirkpatrick were linking up at will, a fourth came for Pyper a couple of overs later as he had cairnduff caught at mid-on, but despite edges being drawn in his final over, he was unable to claim a fifth wicket to secure the match ball.
Simpson, who had been bowling tight overs at the other end would have his time. He removed two batsmen first bowled and then caught in the ring by Hutchinson, earning himself stellar figures of 4-0-16-3. They were not the most remarkable figures of the day however as George Prince finished 1-1, albeit off of one over, as he clinically removed the number 11, Cairns, who had displayed an expertly crafted high elbow on his drive and was no slouch. This left Derriaghy all out for a modest total of 70.
The Bangor reply got off to a Rocky start with Sam McMillan removed caught behind in the first over caught behind. This brought Hutchinson to the crease with Kirkpatrick. The two applied themselves with cool heads befitting men of their great experience, accumulating excellently as the total climbed. Hutchinson ended up being caught behind attempting to attack the leg side. Bangor were now 38-2.
This would be the last wicket that fell as skipper Parker, joined the temporary captain of a few weekends ago in a batting display that was reflective of the senior leadership to two possess. Kirkpatrick was the top scorer of the day, as reports close to the middle suggested he consistently uttered “non ducor, duco” to himself as he hit an inspired 33 not out at just over a run a ball, adding 2 fours and a maximum in the process. Parker finished with a measured 14 and with it that the semi-final berth was secured.
Rain, overcast conditions, fatigue, apathy, a lack of concentration, these are things which would have overcome a lesser team on such an uninviting night. Alas, there is something brewing at UP. A team who are playing as just that, a team. No ego, no self-motivated desires, just hard work and winning are what define this team. This squad wants it and by God, there’s few who would bet against them.
Bangor v North Down – Gallagher Challenge Cup
The Green was the location, North Down were the opponents, the Challenge Cup the tournament, the Bangor men – our heroes. Confident after a clinical handling of the Derriaghy on the Thursday prior, Bangor arrived humming Floreat Bangoria and frothing at the mouth with the opportunity that was at their feet. North Down, a premier league side would be a huge scalp, but not one gained lightly. With overcast conditions Bangor elected to bowl with the familiar pairing of Brown and Chhabra opening up.
Proceedings ebbed and flowed in the power play. Both men had chances and bowled tightly preventing the North Down openers from scoring at too great a rate. Chhabra bowled two maidens and after ten overs North Down were on 44 without loss. This continued until the 12th over when Pyper, riding the crest of a wave after his 4 midweek wickets, bowled a short pitched delivery which was hooked by Saul right down the throat of Angus Farrell, who made no mistake in taking the catch. In his next over Pyper removed the other opener, Aahil, caught at mid on as he tried to attack the ball. Pyper now had two and around the ground a momentum shift could be felt. Storm clouds were rolling in, a potential piece of pathetic fallacy for the North Down batsmen.
The North Down overseas Copeland was now at the crease and blocked the first few balls he received, seeming to size up conditions. Was this the time where Bangor would be suffocated? Were those two wickets claimed mere consolations, as North Down would now make the game their own? The answer was an emphatic no.
Pyper charged in, intent to bring his team even further into the game. The ball nipped about, did a bit off the seam and the result was the bails being clipped off the top of middle stump. Stunned Copeland looked around for answers, but there was only one thing which stared back at him; a long walk back to the pavilion. Bangor wheeled off in celebration, surely it couldn’t get better than this? Oh, but it could. Captain Shields was now at the crease, walking with an air of confidence that a true skippers knock would ensue. First up, he got a delivery no batsmen wants first up, a perfect Yorker on leg stump. The bails were once again removed and Bangor were screaming and giggling in felicitous rapture, as boys on a school yard. The hat-trick ball was blocked and then the rain came on. Bangor left the field of play knowing they were in a game, and a worried hush fell over the home side’s pavilion, as the score stood 74-5.
When the rain subsided, the game was reduced to 39 overs. This began a tough period for Bangor. Cloud cover had ceased and the pitch was playing nicely. Hilton and Haire continued to add to the total, each man bringing up a half-century and building a 100 run partnership, in spite of the committed bowing of Simpson, Farrell and Prince. Chhabra returned to bowl out his overs and was the unsung hero of the day, gaining for himself an admirable economy rate of 3.75 throughout his eight overs with 3 maidens to boot, leaving him unlucky not to have gained a wicket. Brown would run out Haire with a stunning throw in from the boundary and Hilton would be denied a ton, as he was trapped LBW by Farrell for 82, after attempting a third consecutive switch hit.
When Pyper returned to bowl he was searching for his fifth that had evaded him just days prior. Bowling to Davison in his last over, the ball was sent into the stratosphere. Swirling around in the wind and coming down towards the ground like a peregrine falcon. Brown claimed the opportunity as his own, steadying himself, readying himself and attempting with all his might to gain Pyper a famous five wicket haul. The sound of leather on flesh echoed around The Green and a second later, Brown held the ball aloft in joyous victory. Pyper had five and a crucial five it was.
Brown earned a deserved wicket by outwitting Crothers and applied himself expertly to restrict the final over of the innings. The North Down total ended on 252-8 and was reduced by DLS to 242. Bangor believed in the interval and what would be the greatest test of their season would begin after tea.
McMillan and Hutchinson opened the batting and acquitted themselves excellently. Sending the bad ball to the boundary, scampering through for singles of the good balls and creating a platform for their team. A highlight of the opening stand came as Hutchinson opened up with an impeccably timed six over long on, showing the maker’s name and keeping the run rate ticking over.
The pair would bring up their fifty partnership, but shortly after Hutchinson would be bowled for 25, as the score went to 67-1. Exactly an over later, McMillan was caught at short third man for 37. Brown and Parker were now at the crease and set about continuing the chase with the diligence of an artist creating their masterpiece. Brown added a maximum with a trademark slog sweep as a 360 degrees approach was taken by the two men. The sweep would eventually be Brown’s downfall as he was given out LBW in a tight decision. This was a great knock to the Bangor side, as Brown seemed to be in imperious form. Kirkpatrick then came to the crease, but was disappointingly removed soon after run out, after which McCullough met the same fate. Two run outs in quick succession are devastating for a team, Bangor were now 145-5. Chhabra came to the crease and added a boundary early, but was stumped off the bowling of Copeland after a promising start. Simpson and Farrell would both be bowled in quick succession, with George Prince meeting his demise via run out. In the midst of this, skipper Parker had remained the backbone of the innings bringing up his half century as wickets fell around him. Bangor were 189-9 when Pyper arrived at the crease, would a cameo save the game and complete a famous week for Pyper?
Pyper and Parker looked to advance the team total, resilient in the face of the uphill battle before them. Pyper was positive in his shot selection, feeling he could take on hell with a squirt gun. This culminated in the most sumptuous uppercut of a short ball for four, followed by a shoulder shimmy and the shot which all great players employ and Pyper has now patented, the on-drive. Ultimately, Bangor fell agonisingly short losing by 30 runs.
For a large portion of the game, Bangor were in the driver’s seat. Their bowling performance was admirable, their batting showed great promise and their Premier league opposition were genuinely concerned.
Bangor had endured some tough years of rebuilding previously. Losing heavily in section one and fighting to get out of section two. Many may have written them off a mere few years ago, but it is with misty eyes this match reporter can write, it feels as though they are back. There is a young core that is ambitious, teeming with talent and unafriad of the “big” teams. An older section of the squad who have forgotten more than most will ever learn about the game and are committed to the development of those who they exceed in years. A youth section now exists that is healthier and more successful than it has ever been. But above all these things, there is love. Love for the game, love for the club and love for one another. It wasn’t to be on this occasion, but if these values of love and hard work are held above all inklings of self-interest, then I believe Bangor will be just fine. For now, this will go down as a loss, but promises so much more. We will be back, we will overcome, perhaps one day we shall look back on this game as the public announcement of that age old truth – this is the single greatest cricket club in the world.
Match Photo’s on the North Down CC Website
