Saturday saw Ballymena III’s visit Upritchard Park in perfect playing conditions where they elected to bowl first in this 30 over league match. Their decision was initially rewarded as skipper, Paul Houstoun, fell for 2 in the first over that saw Ryan Chambers join opener Andy Hare at the crease. Andy and Ryan restored stability in the innings and then started to accelerate, bringing up a fifty partnership in the 10th over before the dismissal of Andy.
With 20 overs remaining and 8 wickets to go the Bangor batsmen got the bit between their teeth and started to dominate the bowling with powerful stroke play and quick running between the wickets. A number of the straight drives had the bowlers and umpires diving for cover. Partnerships of 45 between Ryan and Kai McPeak (26 runs), followed by 68 between Ryan (64 runs) and Danny Young together with a final, undefeated, partnership of 58 between Danny (66 not out) and Andy Pyper (30 not out) saw Bangor reach 239 for 5 off their allotted overs.
Having set Ballymena a target requiring a run rate of 8 an over, the first exchanges of the innings were going to be key to the match result.
Bangor’s opening duo of Ryan Chambers (5-1-14-1) and Ben Escott (5-0-10-2) delivered just what the doctor ordered restricting Ballymena to 25 off their first ten overs and removing three wickets. Under 15 debutante, Jack Irwin, put in a great performance as wicket keeper looking comfortable with no sign of nerves as kept on a grass wicket for the first time.
First change bowlers Andy Hare (4-0-7-1) and Kai McPeak (4-0-13-0) well and truly put an end to the match as a contest. As Ballymena set to bat out the overs Bangor had the rare opportunity to use 9 bowlers and whilst another 2 wickets fell Ballymena made it through to the end of their 30 overs, with the score at 93 for 6 giving Bangor a victory by 146 runs.
