Bangor Cricket Club’s Under 11 boys completed a remarkable double last week, winning both the NCU League and the Quoile Cup in the space of 24 hours.
Facing holders Instonians on Thursday evening at Derriaghy, the as-yet unbeaten Bangor side batted first but made slow initial progress. After establishing a solid foundation against tight Inst bowling, openers Oliver Campbell and Josh Andrews eventually fell with the score on 30.
Jude Hirst and Teddy McIlwaine then accelerated the run rate to a defendable score of 90 off the 20 overs. McIlwaine’s rapid 29 not out giving his side a fighting chance.
The Bangor side then produced an outstanding display of accurate bowling and sharp fielding to thwart Instonians’ batters. Bangor completed a superb win by 25 runs to bring the Quoile Cup to Bangor for the first time.
On Friday, fresh from cup success the U11’s faced Lisburn in the Premier League decider with both teams unbeaten to date.
A much more positive start balanced by wickets falling regularly made for a well balanced match. It was great to see the Bangor team bat confidently right all the way down the batting order. Oliver Campbell top scores on 21, Bangor posting 119 all out.
Once again Bangor’s fielding and bowling was from the top drawer. A first- over run-out of the Lisburn skipper Callum Lowe (great glove-work by Michael Girvan) proved decisive, backer up by double-wicket maidens from each of Oliver Campbell, Jude Hirst, Teddy McIlwaine and Sonny Bryans, and two catches from ‘buckets’ Rory Rea.
Despite an accomplished 30 from Campbell, Lisburn we’re all out for 41 giving the Bangor boys a rare but much deserved league and cup double.
Front: Adam McCartan, Teddy McIlwaine, Toby Hopkins, Charlie Holley
