Bangor Through to the Next Round

Bangor once again hit the road, this time in the cup hoping to begin their cup hopes in a better fashion than they have in the league. Bangors skipper Johnny Parker won the toss and elected to bat. The return of Michael Martin from university was a great sight to Bangor as a hard hitting opener, paired with the reliable Johnny Keenan. Bangor started well scoring runs where possible but just when Martin started to look to push on he was dismissed by McClure (bowled). This brought the Bangor pro Kuda to the crease who showed his intent early on using his feet to sweep and find the rope. Once again as Kuda looked to progress he fell to the bowling of Kennedy caught by Derby. Unfortunately, Bangor skipper Parker was dismissed early doors which brought Adam McCusker to the crease looking the best of the bangor batsmen so far sending the ball for a massive 6 early on in his innings, once again this was not to be as he was caught by Bingham off the bowling of Warren. A recurring theme coming to light from the Bangor batsman. Wicket keeper Ricky McClarnon went cheaply followed by Ben Escott going for a duck soon after. At this point in the game Bangor were 92-7. A serious fightback from the bangor tail was needed in order to make the game interesting in the second innings. George Prince and Will Simpson did just that. Simpson went about his innings by trying to find the boundary, while Prince rotated the strike knocking singles and twos around the ground, keeping himself in the equation while scoring. Simpson continued at the other end hitting the ball to the boundary at a strong strike rate. The partnership which revitalised the Bangor innings when Prince was given out LBW by the bowling of Kennedy. Simpson and Chris Walton continued on as they usually do scoring runs as quickly as possible. Simpson even scooped for four. Simpson’s fight back was halted as he was caught by Bingham off the bowling of Campbell trying to go big. Simpson was dismissed for a well crafted 28 off 29 balls. Walton continued on where Simpson left off hitting the ball well before he was bowled by McClure, scoring 22 off 28 balls. David Kennedy chipping in with a strong 8. The Bangor innings in somewhat reverse fashion. Key runs from Simpson, Walton and Prince left Bangor with a game on their hands as they finished 175 all out.

Donacloney began their innings well 12-0 after the first three overs. That was until the veteran David Kennedy made his stamp on the game bringing Donacloney to 14-2 with cat-like catches from McCusker and Kuda. Lyttle and Kennedy swayed the tie in favour of Donaghcloney, as they began crafting a strong innings and partnership. The Bangor pro took the game into his own hands dismissing Lyttle and Kennedy in the space of nine runs bringing Donacloney to 78-4. The introduction of the young left arm spinner Simpson turned the tie in Bangors favour taking three wickets in the space of 4 overs for only 15 runs, bringing Donacloney to 114-8 needing 62 runs with only two wickets in hand, Donacloney’s collapse continued as Lockhart being dismissed for 1 by Prince. A late fight back from Bingham and McClure began to worry the Bangor side as they fought back to 169-9 in the 45th over, only needing 7 runs off 18 balls although it was not to be as Walton was able to trap McClure in front LBW to win Bangor the game.

Bangor won by 4 runs.

Bangor 175ao
W Simpson 28, C Walton 22, M Martin 22
A Kennedy 3-24, A Bingham 2-36

Donacloney Mill 171ao
A Bingham 37no, A Kennedy 32, Matt Lyttle 22
W Simpson 3-25, Kuda 3-39, D Kennedy 2-18