16 Year Wait for Silverware is Finally Over with the 1XI Victorious

(Back Row L-R) George Prince, Josh Bates, Adam McCusker, Mike Grossett, Mark English, Paddy English
(Front Row L-R) Chris Pyper, Callum Houston, Taj Onyekwelu, Michael Martin, Chris Walton

Bangor completed a comfortable victory at Uprichard Park on Saturday, defeating the Drumaness Super Kings by eight wickets. In doing so the Bangor side created their own piece of history by winning the first piece of silverware at senior level in 16 years. Although Bangor would have been one of the favourites for the competition when it commenced in July, it takes a special side to go unbeaten through a campaign. All credit must go to Adam McCusker and his men for making this dream a reality.

In front of a packed, though socially distanced, Uprichard Park, McCusker won the toss and elected to field first with the conditions overcast and set to suit the pace attack of Bangor who had performed well all season. It proved to be the case as Mike Grossett and Chris Walton provided their usual steady start with the first five overs going for only 16 runs. The importance of this early pressure cannot be overstated. It meant that the Super Kings found themselves with only 15 overs to post a competitive score and meant that they would have to take chances. So it proved when Sanathankrishnan decided to hit out at the bowling of George Prince, however he only succeeded in finding the save hands of Josh Bates on the long-on boundary. Bangor had their breakthrough with Drumaness losing their first wicket in the seventh over with the score on 26.

One area in which Bangor have been excellent this season is striking at key times, gaining wickets when on top. This was to be no exception and one man was about to sweep all before him. Uncharacteristically, the first two balls of Taj Onyekwelu’s first over when for a total of six runs. By the time he had finished his four overs, he had taken four wickets for only five more runs. It was a blistering spell of bowling, one which will be talked about for years and rightly so. First he had Pattnaik caught by the omnipresent Mark English. Then he had Walsh and Moore both caught behind by a receptive McCusker. Finally, in what will become one of the enduring images of the day, he sent the stumps of Ismail cartwheeling to the sound of rapturous applause. It was no more than what young Bangor fast bowler deserved as he has been a key component in the team’s success this season.

Image Credit CricketEurope

In the space of 15 runs Drumaness had lost five wickets and the innings sat precariously on 42 after 12 overs. Opener Cunningham had watched the horror unfold but was batting sensibly at the other end. He was joined at the crease by Oldroyd and together they began to mend the innings. They did this by batting well and not looking for the big hits. In the next eight overs the pair put on 47 for the sixth wicket, with Cunningham achieving his 50 before being run out in the penultimate over. Arumugam joined Oldroyd, who made 29 not out, as they guided the score to 102 after 20 overs. Bangor would have seen themselves as strong favourites but Drumaness had batted themselves back into a match. Bangor would have to bat well.

Regular opening partnership of Michael Martin and Mark English took to the crease with a steely gaze in their eyes. They knew the importance of getting off to a good start. When Martin fell to a fine early delivery from Abid, Bangor supporters would have been feeling nervous. Sensing these nerves, McCusker promoted himself up the order in a similar move to MS Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup Final, although in arguably a more pressurised situation. It was a move that was to prove decisive in the contest. McCusker and English set about building the match winning partnership.

McCusker was watchful and understandably so, playing within himself and allowing English to punish any leg side or short deliveries with his usual grace and flair. The Drumaness bowler’s began to wilt under the pressure, giving Bangor wide after wide, all of which was brought on by the presence of the two Bangor colosusses at the crease. No chances were taken by either of the batsmen; there was a trophy to win.

English and McCusker had put on 87, taking the score to 95 and only eight short of victory, when English was tragically bowled by Ismail for 46. He was replaced by his brother Paddy who joined McCusker in the middle. Eight balls later with the scores tied, Paddy glanced one of this legs and watched as the ball ran away to the boundary before embracing McCusker in celebration in the middle. Fittingly McCusker was left not out on 24 and minutes later he had his hands on the trophy.

Image Credit CricketEurope

Drumaness Super Kings 102/6 (20 Overs)
J Cunningham 50
D Oldroyd 29
T Onyekwelu – 4-0-12-4

Bangor 106/2 (19.1 Overs)
Mark English 46
Adam McCusker 24*

What they said – Reaction from some of the players

“It’s great to have won this trophy with this team and I have enjoyed every minute of it. We have kept to our standards and that is what has pleased me the most. Of course, there has been so much uncertainty as to whether the season would actually get started due to what is happening in the world. To keep our focus, drive and passion as a team has been very difficult but we have achieved it and this is our reward.” Adam McCusker

“It’s an amazing feeling to have won today and to have played such a big part in a final is obviously important, but this is all about the team and winning as a team. I came back to Bangor at the beginning of lockdown and playing for this great club was definitely one of my highlights of the year.” Taj Onyekwelu (4 Wicket Hero)

“Having only moved to Bangor this season, I knew from my very first training session here that this was a positive, welcoming club with a winning mentality. It has been a pleasure to train, play and win with these great guys.” Michael Martin

“It has certainly been a season to remember. Going unbeaten and having that culminate in a trophy for your hometown club makes you very proud. This will be a year to look back on in years to come. It will be remembered as the year when we won the cup during a pandemic, with protocols to follow and social distancing. It’s bizarre how things work out but we will enjoy this win.” George Prince

“The final was immense. However, the journey this group and indeed the club have taken to get there was far greater. Bangor Cricket Club is on the up and the journey is only just beginning.” Josh Bates

Finally, a word from the Chairman

“With the season initially doomed and then truncated, it was with great delight that the Bangor Cricket Club First XI won its first trophy for 16 years. While this win was the icing on the cake for the players, the season saw a resurgence of Youth Cricket under the guidance of Peter McIlwaine and his coaching team. This win and the development of our under age players should see more silverware at Uprichard Park in years to come. My congratulations to Club Captain, Adam McCusker, all of our players and officials on a great, albeit, shortened season.” Jeremy Stewart

Match Scorecard is available here
Match Photos from Joe McEwan and CricketEurope