Downshire Cup honours go the way of Dundrum

Downshire Cup honours go the way of Dundrum

7 August 2024

DUNDRUM Cricket Club recently welcomed a Downshire Select XI to The Meadow in Dundrum to compete for the Downshire Cup. 

The recent return of the Downshire family to Dundrum inspired Dundrum Cricket Club to hold a friendly Twenty 20 match between the club and a Marquess of Downshire select team.  

After the cup was last won by the Downshire XI, the Dundrum team were looking for revenge. 

Unfortunately, the evening began with rain and it began to look like no cricket would be possible. 

Thankfully, the weather improved and with good work from Dundrum ground staff the match was on. 

Dundrum captain Gavin McNerlin won the toss and elected to bat first. Dundrum opened the batting with Terry Hutley and Rhodri Phillips. Dundrum got off to a terrible start with Rhodri Phillips being run out without facing a ball after his batting partner Hutley sold him down the drain. 

Wickets began to fall quickly as Dundrum fell to 39 for five from the opening six overs. 

The pick of the Downshire bowlers was D Harley Russell (4-14) who bowled full and quick causing problems for the Dundrum batters.

However, Stuart Campbell then began to counter attack for Dundrum as he hit an excellent half century which included two massive sixes (one almost clearing the pavilion). 

Campbell received support from the lower order with Andrew Campbell (14), Niamh Lowry (14) and Phil Jenkins (10) scoring valuable late runs. Dundrum eventually finished on a par score of 135 for seven from their 20 overs. 

In the second innings, the Downshire team opened the batting with L Botham (son of legendary cricketer Ian Botham) and J Spurrier. Dundrum opened the bowling with Andrew Campbell and Richie Shilliday. 

The Downshire team got off to an excellent start as they added 46 runs for the opening wicket inside the first eight overs. 

The partnership was broken when Matthew Douglas (3-14) dismissed Spurrier (18) after an excellent catch by Gavin McNerlin in the deep.

Scott Symington then had Botham (23) caught in the deep. Dundrum sensed an opening and began to up the pressure on the batters. 

The Downshire team began to lose regular wickets falling to 63 for four and then 87 for seven. 

H Syder (11) and A Roberston (10) attempted to score some late runs, however, Dundrum made scoring difficult in the closing overs. 

The Downshire team were eventually bowled out for 106 to leave Dundrum victorious by 29 runs. 

Matthew Douglas finished with figures of three for 14 from two overs and Dave Crudgington finished with two for three from his two overs. 

Context to game: The game of cricket has been a feature in the life of Dundrum village for many years. 

The game was introduced by the sixth Marquess of Downshire when the club president was Lord Arthur Hill, son of the Marquess. 

The first team went under the name of the Downshire Cricket team, they played on the Murlough Estate, and were mostly folk who were workers on the Downshire Estate. 

Interest in cricket spread to the village and the game was played at the Meadow situated at the mouth of the Moneycarragh River with the Mourne Mountains as back offering beauty and tranquillity at the ground.  

Since its inception nearly 120 years ago, Dundrum Cricket Club has enjoyed the support of the people of Dundrum with the Downshire family showing interest and support – the first clubhouse was a gift from the seventh Marquess, it was his late mother’s art studio. 

Keen followers of cricket will remember that in the old East Down League, the Downshire Cup was the main competition, and was a two innings game.  

Sadly, the local league folded in 1964 with the Dundrum Cricket team being the last winners of the cup.  

It was great to see the cup at the ground for public viewing and it is hoped that the match for the cup will become an annual event.