Bangor vs Donacloney Mill – 18th July
by Chris Pyper
Bangor sought to rebound from the disappointment of their maiden league defeat this year, welcoming Donacloney Mill to Upritchard Park.
Bangor won the toss and elected to insert the visitors, aiming to impose their formidable bowling attack and force the opposition into a precarious position early on, a strategy that has proven highly effective against numerous teams this season.
The endeavour to secure an early breakthrough came to fruition in merely the second over, as Angus Farrell claimed the wicket of opener Warren, safely caught by George Prince. Such an initial breakthrough has become customary for the opening bowling partnership of Farrell and Pyper, who operate in perfect symbiosis to apply sustained pressure and dismantle the top order.
The second wicket was orchestrated, once again, by the guileful spin of Farrell, who trapped Derby LBW after an ill-fated sweep shot left the batsman plumb in front of his stumps.
Not to be eclipsed, Pyper claimed his first scalp of the day with a stunning out-swinging delivery that clattered into the off stump, dismissing Cunningham for a golden duck. At this juncture, the visitors were reeling at 23 for 3.
Their predicament metastasised from merely challenging to a full-blown crisis as two wickets fell in the quickest of succession. Pyper secured his second when Kilpatrick edged an off-cutter back into the bowler’s grasp. Pyper had to wait longer than he might have preferred for the ball to descend, grappling with considerably more revolutions on it than was strictly desirable.
Subsequently, without the scoreboard advancing, Farrell’s steadfast accumulation of dot balls in apparent perpetuity led to the run-out of McCart. This occurred as Kennedy attempted to scamper for a quick single, having been dropped a mere few deliveries earlier by an unnamed yet exceptionally handsome fielder.
Shortly thereafter, Pyper captured his third wicket when Goodbarn mistimed a shot to mid-wicket, where Adam McCusker expertly snared the ball inches from his toes. As Farrell and Pyper concluded their opening spell following the sixteenth over, Donacloney languished at 57 for 6 and were visibly struggling.
However, the visitors refused to capitulate quietly. Kennedy capitalised on his earlier reprieve to bring up his half-century, acting as the resolute backbone of the ‘Cloney innings. He was ably supported by a well-paced 28 from Mark Hanna. The score progressed to 128 before Hanna edged a wrong ‘un from Harrison and was caught at fine leg by George Prince. Harrison then claimed Ogle for a duck, followed swiftly by the prized wicket of Kennedy, who was comprehensively bowled. George Prince concluded the innings when Lyttle was caught by Harrison, dismissing the visitors for a modest total of 141.
In response, Bangor opened the batting with Yeates and McMillan. However, this was not the McMillan typically anticipated by regular spectators; rather, it was young Felix McMillan, inaugurating the batting for the First XI for the very first time in his career. McMillan struck two early boundaries, demonstrating that the gravity of the occasion placed no undue burden upon his shoulders.
This promising foray concluded prematurely when he edged a delivery backward of square, departing for 12. Nevertheless, rest assured that this will certainly not be the last we see of the young ‘El Burgo’.
Brodie Harrison next joined Yeates at the crease, and the duo wasted no time in hunting down the target. Yeates performed with his customary poise, technical precision, and a high elbow that appeared lifted straight from the MCC coaching manual. By contrast, Harrison bludgeoned the bowling attack in an explosive innings that featured two sixes, one of which was struck with such immense puissance that it threatened the houses at the far extremity of the ground. This majestic partnership effectively broke the back of the Donacloney Mill attack; alas, all good things must conclude. Harrison was eventually dismissed for a scintillating 45 off just 35 deliveries, with 40 of those runs originating from boundaries.
Yeates was then joined by Butler, who, in a manner akin to Harrison, wasted no time in emphatically introducing himself to the Donacloney attack. The crack of his bat resonated with such ferocity that local residents emerged from their homes to investigate, ostensibly presuming that the Twelfth week celebrations had extended beyond their usual duration and that a Lambeg drum was being beaten at Upritchard Park.
Butler’s blistering innings concluded when he was caught out, departing with a rapid 24 runs from a mere nine balls. Following a brief cameo from Mark Hutchinson, Andrew Kirkpatrick joined Yeates at the crease, and the required total was comfortably eclipsed in just 18.2 overs.
Yeates anchored the chase brilliantly, finishing unbeaten on a stellar 40 runs.
This triumph secured Bangor their ninth league victory of the season. The squad was understandably jubilant and thoroughly satisfied with their performance, yet they remain focused on achieving incremental improvements as their pursuit of greatness continues unabated.
Next week, the team heads back on the road to face Cooke Collegians, undoubtedly seeking to secure a similarly clinical victory. There can be no room for complacency or relaxation as they approach the decisive business end of the season. As Seneca astutely observed, “It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness,” and consequently, considerable toil will be required to realise this ultimate ambition. Nonetheless, this team appears equipped for the challenge; through whatever tempests they may encounter, one would confidently wager on them to prevail.
Donacloney Mill 141 (35.1 overs, A Kennedy 72, M Hanna 28, C Pyper 3-25, A Farrell 2-30, B Harrison 3-34)
Bangor 142-4 (18.2 overs, S Yeates 40*, B Harrison 45, I Butler 24, A Ogle 2-32)
Bangor beat Donacloney Mill by 6 wickets
Templepatrick 2 v Bangor 2 – 18th July
by Gareth McCullough
Bangor 2XI continued their good start to the season by picking up a valuable away win at Templepatrick on Saturday.
Losing the toss Bangor were asked to bowl and on another glorious sunny day fought hard to restrict the home side to 201 off their 35 overs, notable bowling performances came from Will Simpson (3-32), James Patterson (2-20) and supported by great spells from Max Walker & Josh Bates
Set 202 for victory Jonathan Keenan and Josh McMillan got off to a fantastic start putting on 103 for the first wicket, both openers then departed quickly bringing James Patterson (46*) and Gareth McCullough (40*)to the crease who settled any nerves with an 84 run partnership that brought the victory with 4.3 overs to spare.
Plenty to be proud of in this performance and lots to take forward as we welcome Templepatrick to Upritchard this Saturday for what I’m sure will be another great game.
Templepatrick 2 201-8 (35 overs, M Wightman 21, A Campbell 20, L McIlwrath 35, S Fernando 23*, W Simpson 3-32, J Patterson 2-20)
Bangor 2 202-2 (30.3 overs, J McMillan 37, J Keenan 41, J Patterson 46*, G McCullough 40*, A Campbell 2-27)
Bangor 2 beat Templepatrick 2 by 8 wickets
