Bangor fell to another defeat against an experienced Muckamore side by 100 runs at Moylena on Sunday. Although ultimately the match was to end in defeat, Bangor can take great solace in a much improved display with the bat. The team can now build towards improved performances in the second half of the season and gaining the victories that their application deserves.
Skipper Adam McCusker lost the toss and the home side elected to bat on what was an uncharacteristically flat Moylena wicket. Bangor have had no problems with the ball so far this season and the opening partnership of Adam Simmonite and Chris Walton set about tearing through the Muckamore top order. Within three overs Simmonite had picked up two wickets both to fine catches by Ben Escott and Jonny Keenan respectively. Walton ripped the stumps of a bemused Shambogue out of the ground and Bangor had the home side 15 for the loss of three wickets.
Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for the visitors as the fourth wicket partnership of Wilson and Magowan effectively won the match for Muckamore. Wilson, in particular, was in belligerent form, smashing the ball to all parts of the Antrim ground. They had put on 122 when Chris Pyper deceived Magowan who miscued the ball to Simmonite at mid-wicket. Wilson remained unmoved, reaching his hundred in only the 34th over and by this stage the home side had moved to 187.
Much to their credit Bangor stuck at the task in hand. The mercurial talents of Will Simpson slowed the Muckamorebatsmen down at one end. Gradually, Bangor began to exert enough pressure to gain a few wickets. George Prince had Allen caught by the skipper at point and Will Simpson struck twice in two balls to dismiss J Keats and Wilson who eventually fell for 111. A resolute performance from the Muckamore number eight, R Keats, saw him guide the home side to 275 for eight at the end of their 50 overs.
Bangor would have been forgiven if their heads had dropped. This score was much beyond any that they had made this season, but they proved to be a much more difficult task for the Muckamore bowlers. Michael Martin and Jonny Keenan had no problems dealing with the Muckamore openers and they looked to be building a platform for the Bangor innings. Tragically, Keenan was run out when risking a quick single by a fine direct hit. Martin continued the good start with McCusker and it looked as if both had got to grips with the attack.
McCusker looked in imperious form smashing the ball to the boundary with aplomb, while Martin scored heavily on the off side. Sadly, McCusker fell caught behind for 22 and when Declan Horrox fell only two runs later, Bangor had slumped to 41 for three. Will Simpson joined Martin and began to knock the ball around effortlessly and this became a hallmark of the Bangor innings. Simpson, Escott and Pyper all batted with experience that belied their years. The innings of Martin fell ten runs short of his maiden half century for the first XI, in the deep to a fine running catch.
The second half of the Bangor innings belonged to George Prince. For the second week in a row he batted exceptionally well with the three youngsters and looked in complete control. His level head in a crisis and his technical ability with the bat frustrated the Muckamore attack who could still be bowling now and would not have dismissed the Bangor star. He scored an effortless 41 and took the Bangor score to 175, with Chris Pyper reaching 25 also very worthy of note. Despite George running out of partners and Bangor losing the match, this is very much a project to be excited about going forward.
