Bangor Cricket Club 4XI side celebrated promotion with a steamrolling performance on the home straight winning 6 games on the bounce to secure promotion to the NCU Junior League 8. With a strong emphasis on exposing the club’s youth to senior cricket, the juniors did not let the more “seasoned and experienced” players of the club down and showed all how the games were played.
The 4XI had to win their last 2 games of the year which included having to topple the mighty PSNI 1XI side on Friday who were the runaway favourites from the start of the season. The game had everything with a solid opening batting partnership from Zack Kerr and Mathew Quinn (43 and 67* respectively) and then some lusty blows from our pinch hitter Ross Garrett to pull us too 151/1 from our 20 overs.
It was then time for the boys from Bangor to stand up to the sporting constabulary and with some excellent fielding and tight bowling, the pick of the bowlers were Max Walker (2-15), Stephen Skelly (2-16) and Fergus Johnstone (2-33), as the home side held on to win by 22 runs. Part 1 complete!
Part 2 on Sunday saw the side travel to Templepatrick 4XI knowing a win would secure the side promotion. Bangor batted first and got off to a fast start through Phil Greenwood (32) before a flurry of wickets left the side reeling on 71-5. Muhammad Hamza (34) and Felix McMillan (24) steadied the ship with a great partnership which ensured Bangor made a very competitive 145 from their 20 overs.
Both teams got off to solid start but it was the 7th over that switched the game in Bangors favour as young leg spinning sensation Harry McMillan picked up 3 wickets. Bangor didn’t look back in anger from there as Bangor routinely picked up wickets there after with the score well behind the required rate. The 4XI eased their way to a 42 run win which ensured their promotion to Junior League 8.
What a year and what a team the 4XI have been this year! A big thank you to all the players who contributed to this season and the future is indeed very bright for the Bangor CC.
