Scintillating Win for the 2XI as Beachy Picks Up an Unbelievable Century

Bangor second eleven looked to get their season back on track and get their second win of the season against Woodvale third eleven at Upritchard Park. Skipper Pyper lost the toss and were inserted in and Woodvales decision to bowl first immediately paid off with McMillan falling in the first over. Kris King joined Mark English at the crease and the two batsmen set about getting Bangor up and running with the scoring rate set at a serene pace with 50 runs coming up inside the 10th over.

King decided to up the ante finding the boundary with increasing regularity to bring up his 50 before falling 6 runs later to a sharp catch on the mid wicket boundary. One brought two as Woodvale had a glimmer of hope of doing some damage to the Bangor innings with the score now 108-3 in the 20th over. 

George Prince joined English and both men set about increasing the tempo, scoring runs regularly at around 7 runs an over before Prince fell trying to sweep one into the pavilion. Simpson was next in but he came and went for a quick fire innings bringing Zach Kerr to the crease fresh from his season at the Newcastle Falcons. At this point English had just passed the half century mark in the 27th over and what followed was some remarkable hitting. 

In the remaining 3 overs, English crashed over 6 towering sixes and 3 piercing fours as the Woodvale bowlers were sprayed to all parts of Upritchard Park and the surrounding BT19 area. Such was the incredible hitting, English had entered the final over in the 80s and within a few balls was one hit away from a spectacular century with two balls remaining. The ball was delivered on to English’s pads and a few seconds later was sent high into the neighbouring apartments. English finished on 106 not out carrying his bat in the process and he walked off to rapturous applause from the crowd.

Chasing 226 off 30 overs, Woodvale’s openers got off to a solid enough start as Prince, Cox and Walker kept things relatively tight in the opening 12 overs of the match with Walker picking up 2 wickets from his 4 overs to two Zach Kerr catches with the score on 55-2. Will Simpson and skipper Andy Pyper were next to come on to bowl and further restricted the Woodvale batsmen and something had to give. So it did, with Pyper taking wickets regularly and to some alarmingly breathtaking catches by the Bangor fielders. 

Prince and Garrett took two fantastic catches but it was to be surplussed by an outrageous catch from Will Simpson. The ball hit high over his head and running full sprint, he stretched full length with his right arm and plucked the ball from the air causing mass celebration on the field. Some clinical bowling at the end from Conor Cox and Simpson meant Bangor coaxed home in the end to a 66 run win and have two wins from 4 games this season.

Bangor 225-5 off 30 Overs 
M English 106*
K King 56

Woodvale 159ao off 25.4 Overs
C Cox 2-53
J Walker 2-12
W Simpson 2-34
A Pyper 4-45