Back to Back Wins in the League for the Men’s 1XI

Dunmurry v Bangor 

Bangor welcomed Dunmurry to the salubrious surroundings of Upritchard Park this Saturday past. The pitch looked in as fine condition as any pitch you are likely to see in the country and the Bangor skipper Parker won the toss and decided his team ought to cash in, as he elected to bat.

Young at heart Mark Hutchinson and actually young Sam McMillan went out to open the batting. The mix of youth and experience proved a potent one, as the two batsmen looked comfortable and classy as they built their total. The pair brought the fifty up in 9 overs as they appeared to be cruising, displaying an enthralling style which encompassed discipline and panache in equal measure. 

Hutchinson brought up his 50 after just 40 balls faced. Alas, a sense was building around the ground that this was just the beginning and there was more to come from both of the Bangor men at the crease. They reached a 100 run partnership shortly after Hutchinson’s fifty after 14.3 overs. Dunmurry looked from one man to the next searching for an answer, anything to break the chain of dominance displayed by the Bangor opening pair. Naturally, their was no reply to what was batting of the highest order as young McMillan brought up his fifty and subsequently the 150 run partnership was achieved after 100 minutes of batting. The stoke making on display was outstanding, as no person outside of the Dunmurry ranks wanted to see it end. It was a clinic in running between the wickets, waiting for the bad ball, getting something out of the good ball and all the while displaying the je ne sais quoi required of all great Bangor batsmen. 

Lamentably, all good things truly must come to an end. On 93 and seemingly coasting towards a century, Hutchinson was bowled. He left the field to laudative applause as all recognised a special partnership had unfolded before them. Bangor were 178-1 after 23 overs as Robbie Van Harte came to the crease. Unfortunately Van Harte would depart shortly after falling to a flighty delivery as he tried to slog sweep. The umpire triggered him, ruling him out LBW and bringing the dangerous Andrew Kirkpatrick to the crease. 

Kirkpatrick was simply devastating. In an innings that included no less than five sixes, he filled his plate at the proverbial buffet. It was a bad day to be a cricket ball and the Dunmurry team were relieved to see Kirkpatrick dismissed, as he fell onto his back side and was hit in the midriff for quite an unusual LBW. This brought Will Simpson to the crease. 

Not much has been said, thus far, about the innings of 18 year old Sam McMillan. McMillan showed patience and discipline beyond his years, shotmaking akin to the likes of Ian Bell, and a dogmatic desire to score runs á la Graham Thorpe that did not falter all day. Sam opened and finished the Bangor innings, carrying his bat for a maiden Senior Cricket ton as he ended on 112* off 110 balls, displaying a real level of skill and maturity beyond his years. All were absolutely delighted for him as he walked of the pitch at half time.

Would be remiss of me to mention a great 26 run cameo from late call up James Griffin that included 5 fours, as Bangor posted a formidable 318 off of their 40 overs. 

Van Harte and Chris Pyper opened the bowling and put on a clinic. In the space of 16 overs they dismantled the Dunmurry batting order. Pressure built as the bat was beaten several times, the batsman was tempted into a big shot which was skied and cooly taken at mid-on. A similar fate met the new batsman at the crease who was caught at mid wicket by Griffin, as Van Harte now had two. 

Pyper, who had experienced less luck with dropped catches and teammates rugby tackling one another, would get his first wicket, after a flurry of Yorkers at Connolly, he would deliver a shortball that was edged to Hutchinson in the slips, who didn’t even have to move. Shortly after the opener’s luck would run out after a number of misses and edges, he sliced one to Parker at point for Pyper’s second. Pyper then effected a direct hit run out, removing a further Dunmurry batsman, as all around were in awe at the professional manner Bangor were dealing with the opposition. 

Pyper then delivered a sumptuous out swinging delivery that kissed the top of the off stump bail, for what many are calling the wicket of the day. Van Harte got his third and fourth wicket, through a skied chance taken by Kirkpatrick and a beautiful delivery that sent the stumps cartwheeling away with his penultimate delivery. 

Pyper was chasing a five for in his final over and drew the edge early but it was too sharp for the slip fielders, an example of the pace of the deliveries bowled all day. With his final delivery it would be a “bad day to be an off stump” (Griffin, 2024) as it was dislodged, gaining Pyper his fourth scalp of the day. 

Chris Walton and George Prince battled it out for the final wicket against a dogged and stubborn defence by the tenth wicket partnership until Prince removed the number 11 bowled and the total was all out for 53, Bangor winning by 265 runs. 

Pyper and Van Harte’s combined figures were 16-6-35-8 and Dunmurry were 35-9 after their deleterious opening spell. 

It was a day where Bangor reigned supreme and were simply a class above. Now sitting firmly in the top half of the table, Bangor are daring to dream.

Batting Contributions:
Sam McMillan: 112* (110)
Mark Hutchinson: 93 (75)
Andrew Kirkpatrick: 47 (27)
James Griffin: 26* (23)

Bowling Figures:
Robbie van Harte: 4-20
Chris Pyper: 4-15

Result:
Bangor won by 265 Runs

Bangor vs Belfast Malayali Association

In a dominating display of cricket, Bangor emerged victorious against the Belfast Malayali Association Cricket Club (BMACC) at Upritchard Park. Bangor won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that paid immediate dividends.

Chris Pyper and Robbie Van Harte’s opening spells were economical, restricting BMACC to a mere 23 runs before George Prince struck the first blow. Prince’s fifth ball was caught brilliantly by Jonathan Parker, setting the tone for what would be a remarkable bowling performance. Prince, showing exceptional control and precision, bowled three consecutive maidens and took two more wickets in his fifth over.

By the drinks break, BMACC was reeling at 57/4, with Prince further dismantling their lineup by dislodging the leg stump for his fourth wicket. Prince capped his stellar performance by claiming his fifth wicket, uprooting another stump, and completing his five-wicket haul with figures of 5-10. Young Myles McNaught also impressed, securing his first 1st XI wicket in his third over and finishing with 3-40. Despite a spirited resistance from Sachin Sebastian, who hit several boundaries, Robbie Van Harte’s experienced bowling (2-41) and McNaught’s persistence ended the BMACC innings with 162 runs all out.

In reply, Bangor’s opening pair, Mark Hutchinson and Andrew Kirkpatrick, laid a solid foundation with a 75-run partnership. Hutchinson showcased his batting prowess, scoring an impressive 60 off 70 balls. Kirkpatrick supported well with a quick 32 off 28 balls.

After the dismissal of Kirkpatrick in the 10th over, Nathan Belshaw contributed 26 runs, further inching Bangor towards the target. His wicket brought Robbie Van Harte to the crease, who along with Hutchinson, ensured there were no further hiccups. Hutchinson reached his half-century with ease, and the duo swiftly chased down the remaining runs.

Bangor completed the victory in the 26th over, finishing at 121/2 with 8 wickets in hand. The comprehensive win highlighted Bangor’s strength in both bowling and batting, promising a bright season ahead.

Bowling Figures:
George Prince: 5-10
Myles McNaught: 3-40
Robbie Van Harte: 2-41

Batting Contributions:
Mark Hutchinson: 60* (70)
Andrew Kirkpatrick: 32 (28)
Nathan Belshaw: 26 (31)
Robbie Van Harte: 13* (21)

Result:
Bangor won by 8 wickets

A confident performance from Bangor has set a high standard early in the season.