Cricket season set to begin

24 April 2019

THE new cricket season gets underway on Saturday.

Weather permitting, Downpatrick open their Section 1 campaign away to Templepatrick before entertaining Armagh at the Strangford Road on May 4.

Saintfield — who will be playing in Section 2 — don’t start until Saturday, May 4, when they entertain Cooke Collegians before travelling to Laurelvale the following weekend.

The following Saturday they take on arch rivals Dundrum at the Demesne in the first round of the Junior Cup which will be Dundrum’s first game of the season, although they will have tasted some action on their Easter tour of Shropshire.

Dundrum start their league games on Saturday, May 25, with Drumaness, who will play with Dundrum in Section 3, beginning their season away to Victoria on Saturday, May 11.

At the Strangford Road, Downpatrick have been preparing for the season full of optimism after an eventful 2018 which saw the sale of part of the clubhouse, the first eleven won the T20 Trophy, with the seconds winning the league and promotion to Junior 2.

A lot has been made of the new set up at Downpatrick with the Quoile Bar and Bistro up and running under new ownership and the club wishing Conor and his team every success.

The club has retained ownership of the changing rooms, gym space and playing area and aims to focus on the sporting and community priorities with links with local schools, providing coaching to a new generation of cricketers.

Ryan Smyth takes over from Ross Boultwood as captain. As well as being one of the best players in the NCU, Ryan has everything it takes to be a great leader and the club will be aiming to mount a serious title challenge as well as a strong defence of the T20 Trophy.

With an experienced bowling attack, led by Ross Boultwood and Mark Yeates, the first team is capable of dominating any batting line-up. The ever-dangerous Jordan Wade is primed for a big season with the bat and will this be the season when he claims his maiden century?

Paul Tate will look to build on last season’s success when Downpatrick seconds won Junior 3 at the first time of trying after relegation in 2017. The fact that the club struggled to field two teams just a short time ago to the position where there is now competition for places, shows the hard work of all members is paying off.

Calvin Yeates is developing into an excellent young bowler along with Brian Perry and Charlie Hutton, all products of the Downpatrick youth system. Strong focus will continue on developing youth players and, to that end, James Chappell is joining for the summer from his native Australia.

Any young people interested in cricket should get in touch or keep an eye on the club’s Facebook/Twitter feeds for details of junior training which starts on Wednesday, May 1.

Saintfield members are also looking forward to the season with both ambition and optimism across both senior squads.

The firsts will be captained by Patrick Telford and he will look to build upon last year’s promising fourth-place finish in Section 2 where the side won 10 league games and lost just four.

The second eleven is captained by Jack Telford and again it is hoped that the side can kick on this year after a disappointing campaign that resulted in relegation from NCU Junior 3.

The new committee, with Matthew Greer and Gareth Harrison acting as co-chairmen, has worked hard over recent months to bring about levels of commitment, dedication and, most importantly, a sense of enjoyment across all areas of the club.

Saintfield also welcome the new main club sponsors Navigate Independent Financial Advisors and it is hoped both supporters and members of the local community will be able to show support for Navigate IFA.

As a club, Saintfield look forward to meeting new and old faces throughout the season during events such as the annual quiz, summer barbecue and the club golf day scheduled to take place at Bright Castle Golf Club on Friday, June 28

At the forefront of the first eleven this year is a real sense of balance with both youth and experience, hoping to play a significant part in bringing success to the Demesne.

With experience coming from the likes of Harrison, Phillip Murray, Byron Woodruff, Matthew Greer and Jonathan Viner, it is hoped that the youthful members of the squad can really push on this year to achieve their ambitions and goals. Young members Jack and Patrick Telford are joined by Andrew and TJ McCavera, James and Ryan McConnell, Christy McGuire, Gus Portig, Paul Kerr, Ross Murray and current Irish Woman’s International, Cara Murray.

Added to this, there are members of the 2018 NCU U-17 Interprovincial Championship winning team in Adam Reid and Ethan Hanna.

With such a youthful squad, where the majority have emerged from the club’s junior system from U-11 through to first eleven, demonstrating the level of progress that can be experienced at the club, it is hoped to see many new faces joining the youth system during the season.

As well as this, new members at senior level are welcome to contact the club and to attend training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6pm. To keep up to date with the ins and outs of Saintfield Cricket Club follow what’s happening on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Everyone at the club is extremely excited and pleased to announce support and association with Opening Up Cricket — an initiative which aims to spread the word on mental wellbeing and suicide prevention through cricket. The club will proudly be wearing the Opening Up Cricket logo on players’ shirts and training kit.

Dundrum, who finished the 2018 season with a dramatic last ball win over local rivals Drumaness, are looking forward to opening the season with another derby match when they travel to Saintfield in the Junior Cup.

Preparation has been underway for some time. As always, the dedicated team of ground staff, led by Tommy and Jack Curlett and Stephen Calvert, have been working through the winter to prepare The Meadow for the new season.

On top of the routine work to prepare the wicket and outfield for another sporting summer the artificial wicket has been moved, new trees have been planted and a major project to widen and improve the entrance to the ground is nearing completion.

On the cricketing side, the seniors started training early this year with weekly indoor net sessions commencing in March and running until after Easter when training started outside at The Meadow.

New members are welcome to come along to the Thursday evening sessions, which start at 6.30pm.

“We had a great finish to last season and preparation for this year has been going really well.” said new first team captain Ian Wright.

“Nets have been very well attended and there’s a real energy around the squad. The past few years haven’t necessarily been easy for us, but there is a sense that 2019 is the year where the foundations of future growth can be laid. We’ve got a good blend of youth and experience and the return of all-rounder James Martin after injury adds balance to the team,” he added.

A indication of the buzz around the club was the pre-season tour to Shropshire over the Easter weekend. Dundrum played four games over three days at St Georges and Madeley Cricket clubs, in a tour organised by the ever-enthusiastic Jeff Maguire.

Information about training and matches can be found on Dundrum Cricket Club’s Facebook and Twitter sites or contact Jeff Maguire on 07730 334479.

Neil Walsh will captain Drumaness with Michael Casement as his vice-captain. The club will again rely on the experienced Darren Oldroyd, James Cunningham, Garry Walsh and Gary Moore.

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