Downpatrick see off Saintfield by four runs in close contest

Downpatrick see off Saintfield by four runs in close contest

5 August 2020

WHAT a difference 48 hours makes in the game of cricket.

Downpatrick, who had been humbled by Ballymena on Thursday, got back to winning ways at Saintfield with the batsmen showing some pride and application.

Ross Boultwood won the toss and decided to bat first. Jordan Wade was absent so Michael Carson and Ryan Smyth opened the batting, racing to 31 off five overs before Ryan was caught by Ross Murray off Adam Sofley for 13.

Danny Carson joined brother Michael at the wicket and kept the scoring rate at six an over before Michael was out for 41 off 42 balls (4x4, 1x6) and after 12 overs Downpatrick were 70/2.

Ross Boultwood was next in and he and Danny added 38 in six overs before Ross was stumped by Adam Reid off Paddy Telford for 25 off 19 balls (1x4, 2x6).

Downpatrick were 108 for 3 with two overs left and were looking to get close to 130. However, Danny was out to an outstanding catch by Ali off Byron Woodruff for 22 off 27 balls (3x4). Downpatrick added only 10 more for the loss of Chris Gilmore and after 20 overs they had taken their score to 118 for 5.

Matthew Hamill and Ross Murray started the run chase for Saintfield and quickly added 29 for the first wicket before Hamill was caught by Craig Boultwood off Chris Gilmore in the sixth over.

Adam Reid joined Murray and Gilmore and Craig Boultwood applied the pressure. In the next six overs Saintfield scored only 24 runs for the loss of three wickets as they went from 42 for 1 to 53 for 4.

Craig Boultwood finished with great figures of 3 for 17 from his four overs, including two return catches off his own bowling.

With nine overs left, Saintfield required 65 to win. Gareth Harrison joined Byron Woodruff at the crease and scored a quick 13 (1x6) before falling to an excellent catch by Mark Yeates off Martin Gartland. Saintfield were 76 for 5 after 14 overs.

Adam Sofley joined Woodruff and added 24 but it took almost five overs before Sofley was caught by Charlie Hutton for 12. With two overs to go, 21 were needed.

Ross Boultwood bowled a magnificent 19th over, conceding only five runs, and 14 were needed off the last over.

Mark Yeates had Woodruff caught for 28 off the first ball. The game was up and although Ali hit the last ball for six Downpatrick had done enough to win by four runs.

The Downpatrick bowling was brilliant and the fielding was excellent, especially from Ewen McCartney on debut and Calvin Yeates, who had another good day in the field.