Bangor vs Irish XI at Ward Park -Team Biographies

BANGOR v. IRELAND XI.
Saturday, April 30th, 1977

THE IRISH XI.

Alfie Linehan (Downpatrick) RHB.

One of the most popular cricketers in Ireland, Ardmeen farmer Alfie played 11 times for Ireland between 1971 and 1975, scoring 262 runs. He captained the side in the last six of those games-despite losing all six tosses-Ireland won two and lost only two of those games. Also captained Ulster Country to their 1973 and 1974 Guinness Cup victories- he has played 44 games, and scored 701 runs in this competition since 1967.

Michael Reith (Waringstown) LHB, RM.

A splendidly aggressive but correct opening batsman. Made his debut in the historic victory over the West Indies at Sion Mills, 1969. Highest score of 129 v. Holland, 1970. A magnificent slip fielder who once took 4 catches in an innings (v. Denmark 1975). Averages 25.60 for 1173 runs. 24 caps.

Jim Harrison (Waringstown) RHB.

A very correct and steady batsman with strong forearms and wrists. Debut v. Scotland, 1969. Scored 111* v. Wales in 1973. The quiet man of the Irish side, he now averages 23.67 for 1160 runs in his 29 internationals.

Ivan Anderson (Waringstown) RHB, OB.

First capped v. Middlesex in 1966. Now ranks as one of Ireland’s greatest batsmen. 45 caps; 2047 runs at 32.76 average. Scored 198* v. Canada at Toronto, 1973, the highest-ever score for Ireland. Made a century in each innings v. Scotland in 1976 (147 and 103*) sharing a record partnership of 222 with O’Riordan. Has 29 wickets, including 5 for 21 v. Scotland in 1974. Captained Ireland 5 times in 1968. An outstanding fielder.

Brendan O’ Brien (Railway Union) RHB.

Debut v. Middlesex in 1966. 25 caps. Has made 745 runs at an average of 20.13. Highest score of 63 v. Wales in 1973. “Ginger’ is the most phenomenal run-scorer of all-time in Leinster league cricket.

Simon Corlett (North) RHB, RFM.

An Oxford Blue in 1971/72. Debut v. Holland 1974. A fast-medium, accurate bowler, good batsman and athletic fielder. 44 wickets in 11 games at 21.93 runs each. Took 7 for 69 v. Denmark, 1975. Highest score of 59 v. Scotland 1976.

Dermott Monteith (Lisburn) RHB, SLA.

First capped as a batsman v. MCC 1965. Has taken 185 wickets (av. 13.60) in 37 matches. In 1971 he took a record 47 wickets. Has three times taken 13 wickets in a match, 12 twice and 11 once. Best of 8 for 44 v. Mcc at Lord’s in 1973. His powers of control, spin and variation rate him as one of Ireland’s greatest bowlers. Highest score 78 v. Scotland, 1973. Captained Ireland against Holland in 1976.

Roy Torrens (Brigade) RHB, RFM.

Another whose debut was against Middlesex in 1966. 17 caps, 53 wickets at 21 runs each. Best of 7 for 40 v. Scotland, 1974. Highest score of 44 v. MCC at Lord’s in 1975. Tall and powerful, he is fast and accurate at his best.

Michael Halliday (Phoenix) RHB, OB.

An off spinner who first played v. Scotalnd in 1970. Has taken 24 wickets at 31.08 in 12 matches. Spins the ball a great deal and is steadily improving.

Ossie Colhoun (Sion Mills) Wicketkeeper, RHB.

The most capped Irish Player. First played v. Lancashire in 1959, he has missed one match since and has plaved the last 63 of his 74 matches in success-ion. Highest score 36 v. MCC 1974. Has become a most polished “keeper over the years. Dismissed 5 batsmen in an innings against Pakistan XI. in 1969. Overall has caught 125 and stumped 36.

Stan Mitchell (Phoenix) LHB.

Stan Mitchell was a very good left hand batsman who started out at Donemana before moving south to Phoenix in Dublin. He made his debut for Ireland in 1974 against The Netherlands, may not be remembered as one of Irelands best cricketers but he was certainly a very good one and the local game in Ireland owes him a lot for his efforts.

Graham Crothers (Woodvale) RHB.

Graham Crothers was a sound opening, or upper order batsman, who was perhaps unfortunate to make his Irish debut in 1972, when Ireland’s programme was left unfinished as MCC had security concerns over playing at Castle Avenue. He made his debut against Scotland at Greenock as cap number 522.

THE BANGOR XI.

To help bolster the Bangor side against the talented Ireland XI, the side will include Ex-England batsmen John Jameson and Colin Cowdrey.

Howard Bingham

A schoolboy sensation, Howard put together an incredible run of scores in 1974. Irish Schods 1974/75. Went to Holland 1975 with Irish Under- 19 XI for the 6-Nations Tournament. Although he has struggled with the bat in club Cricket he has developed into a top-rate cover fielder. Best score 26.

Alastair Borthwick

Now in his fourth season with the club, Scot Alastair has become one of Ulster’s leading batsmen, a view justified by his Guinness Cup winning innings of 59 on his Ulster Country debut at the end of last season. Kept wicket in 1976. Best score of 67 v Waringstown 1976. A bad time-Keeper.

Larry Cunningham

The big hitter of the side. Joined from Coleraine at the end of 1974. Played for Ulster Town and North-West, touring Trinidad with the latter in 1975. When in full flight he is a sight worth watching. A useful medium-pace bowler but plagued by a recurrent shoulder injury. Always dismissed by unplayable balls.

Tom Edgar

A consistently reliable member of the side with 136 wickets and 976 runs since joining from Holywood in 1969. Plays very correctly when batting and always bowls a tight length and direction. Highest score of 43 and took 8-38 against Muckamore in 1973. A fruit machine expert.

John Elder

Bangor’s leading wicket-taker has turned in many match-winning performances with the ball, including a best of 9 for 34 last year. Has played seven times for Ireland between 1973 and 1976. Member of 4 Guinness Cup-winning Ulster Country sides. Club captain 1976, Highest score 21*. A run out expert.

Chris Harte

A new signing, Chris won 6 Irish caps in 1972-73 following a sensational run of Guinness Cup scores, and then disappeared mysteriously from the international scene. A globetrotter who has played for North, Trinity, Phoenix, Downpatrick, and Bangor since 1971. One of Ulster’s best fielders, talkers and fidgets.

Ian Houston

Club Captain 1977, having captained the 1974 team that won promotion to the top section. Although runs have recently been hard to come by lan is always a useful man when chasing a score, with his sharp eye and nimble running. Tends to underestimate his own bowling ability. Highest score 65*, best bowling of 5-24. Very fond of tours to the isle of Man.

Jimmy Kirk

Along with McCall, Jimmy has featured in many high-scoring opening partnerships. Apart from Michael Rea, the longest serving member of the side, although only 28. A briliant gully fielder who has held many breathtaking and vital catches. Highest score 65. Jimmy was not born overseas -although very keen on tours of Greece.

Conn McCall

Easily the most prolific scorer of runs for Bangor since joining from Holywood in 1968. He monopolises the club batting (and fielding) records. Conn won 15 Irish caps from 1964 to 1968 as an opener. Captained league-winning side 1970. Missed most of last season through ill-health, but hopes to be back to his best this year. Club Chairman 1977. Tends to boast of the cricketing ability of his grandmother.

Alan McCully

The team’s natty dresser and gardening expert. Joined from Woodvale 1976 having previously captained Queens in the 1973 Cup Final. A slow bowler whose control of length and direction have brought him many wickets. Played regularly for Ulster Town while with Queens and Woodvale. A disappointing 1976 season.

David Morrow

The youngest, biggest and untidiest member of the side whose hard-hitting won him great respect last season, although still very vulnerable to fast bowling. A very good slip fielder. Played for Ulster Country Under-19 in 1974. Highest score of 37* in 1976. Plays rugby for Bangor 1st XV. A fine prospect in both sports.

Michael Rea

Last, but not least, “The King”. A stalwart of Bangor cricket and bulwark of the 1st XI for 25 years, one of the most under-rated cricketers in Ulster during his heyday. With bat and ball he has always been an attractive cricketer to watch Captain of the 1969 League-winning side. 2041 runs at 17.59 and 235 wickets at 12.70 since Bangor became a Senior club in 1968. Skippers the team against the Irish XI.