by Chris Pyper
Bangor played their final home game of the season on Saturday as they welcomed Cregagh to Upritchard Park, which, alongside the typically pristine pitch, possessed a resplendent, newly refurbished clubhouse.
Bangor aimed to put in a performance befitting their new digs and, in turn, put their promotion aims into a healthier position ahead of Thursday’s rearrangement with Saintfield to finish the year.
Cregagh won the toss and elected to bat first, meaning that Bangor would aim to make early inroads into the Cregagh top order. They did just that, as Michael Skelly drew an edge from Moore that was duly claimed by George Prince at first slip. A mere few balls later, Read was asked a few questions by the Bangor fielding unit about his strategy when batting first. He immediately tried to display his strategy by attempting to put a wide delivery over the head of Seb Yeates at point. While Yeates is not the tallest man in the team, Read’s shot did not have the required loft, and his crafty bunt found the grateful and regularly safe hands of Yeates.
Skelly’s early rampage would not end there, as he and Pyper built pressure through dots at either end, and a delivery with an extra pep in its step found the inside edge of McMillan and dislodged the bails.
Cregagh found themselves 7-3, and the next partnership between Browne and Watt would prove to be their most significant. The pair added 47, albeit at a lower strike rate under pressure from the bowling attack.
Eventually, their partnership came undone as Browne stepped across his stumps and was struck in front for 24 off the bowling of Brodie Harrison.
Angus Farrell joined the attack next and offered an angle of attack that none of the other Bangor bowlers had yet considered. Upritchard Park pitches have been known to be batter-friendly, as high scores have abounded. In a novel approach, Farrell took the pitch out of the equation, opting instead to bowl a full toss, which was skied and taken by Seb Yeates once again to remove Davison.
Meanwhile, Pyper re-entered the attack at the top end, removing the left-handed Kareer at deep square leg, with Angus Farrell taking a catch with the greatest of ease.
Pyper returned the favour in the following over, diving forward as Farrell opted to use a short-pitched delivery to remove Watt for a dogged 41.
Pyper claimed his second wicket in the next over. After bowling his stock ball and setting up Boyd, he delivered a disgusting knuckleball that dipped at the last minute and careered into the stumps. One of the great travesties of the day was that the livestream had gone down at this stage, preventing all cricket lovers from enjoying this delivery ad nauseam in the days to come.
Pyper gained another as De Silva, after clobbering a huge six, sent the ball sky-high as a back-pedalling Kirkpatrick took an excellent catch (with some marks removed due to the possession of gloves aiding him in his efforts). On second thought, it’s one he really should take. Farrell claimed his third in the next over as Hassard picked out Harrison to end Cregagh’s innings at 112 all out.
Bangor knew that to improve their net run rate, they must attack the scoreboard with unrelenting aggression. This led to the promotion of the Kiwi cavalier, Brodie Harrison, to open the batting. McMillan also opened with him but was removed after an early boundary for five looking to attack further. Harrison was joined by Yeates at the crease, but for the next while, it would be the Harrison show in full effect.
Harrison’s hitting was the sort of stuff that makes you sit up—because, of course, it is exciting, but also due to the fact you could be struck by a ball at any moment as a spectator. Nine fours and six sixes were bludgeoned as Harrison showed no mercy.
Harrison’s innings came to an end as he was stumped on 81. Obviously, those watching were impressed by the hitting on display, yet reluctant to applaud because it was such an egregious “ton dodge” from Harrison. Nonetheless, he left Bangor in a position of immense strength at 94-2 in 8.3 overs.
In the midst of this, I am sad to report, Yeates disgraced himself. He picked a fight with the opposition and used ghastly expletives right in earshot of the umpire, leading to him being rightly reprimanded with a Level One offence. Seb has been entered into etiquette classes in order to improve his on-field behaviour in the future.
In spite of his typical Campbellian antics, Yeates showed class as he steered Bangor home to victory alongside Kirkpatrick. Bangor’s promotion hopes received a boost as the total was reached in 11 overs.
Elsewhere in the league, title contenders Lurgan lost out to Templepatrick, moving Bangor into second place on net run rate.
Bangor now enter Thursday’s rearrangement with the opportunity to gain promotion with a win and, if results go their way, a possible league title.
This team has toiled, they have battled, and they have shown immense courage in their league campaign thus far. Our boys need but one more win to secure a Premier League future. The scene is set: cometh the hour, cometh the eleven Bangorian heroes.
Match Photos on our Facebook page
Cregagh 112 (33.3 overs, B Browne 24, A Watt 41, C Pyper 3-24, M Skelly 3-17, A Farrell 3-25)
Bangor 113-2 (11 overs, B Harrison 81)
Bangor beat Cregagh by 8 wickets
