Downpatrick advance into final four of Junior Cup competition

26 June 2024

SATURDAY saw Instonians seconds travel to play Downpatrick in the Junior Cup quarter-final and yet again Downpatrick’s bowlers produced the goods.

Instonians won the toss and decided they would bat first and as usual Hanza Khan and Richu took the new ball with Ben Beattie and Robert Craigan opening the batting for Instonians.

Hanza struck in the third over when Gavin Ringland caught Beattie for four (12 for one).

Incredibly, in the first four overs, Downpatrick shelled four catches, three of which were very easy chances and when Instonians had progressed to 39 for one those opportunities were starting to look costly.

But, Richu bowled Nelson for four and seven runs later Craigan was caught by Vimal again off Richu 46 for three.

Sully Gould and George Craigan were now batting and runs were at a premium indeed.

In six overs only 14 were added before Gould was caught by Khan in Sammy Irwin’s second over (60 for four) and Irwin claimed another victim in his next over having George Craigan caught by Sunny Stephenson, 68 for five.

Ben McCausland came and departed for one, another catch for Khan off Vimal, 78 for six, and it was 80 for seven as Vimal bowled Frank Holloway for one.

While the wickets were tumbling at one end, Bradley McNamara was accumulating runs but decided that the best idea now was to hit out or get out and 16 runs came off the next two overs before Irwin claimed this third wicket (96 for eight) and Manoj Khatri bowled one over which was a double wicket maiden.

Instonians had tumbled to 100 all out with Sammy Irwin three for 19, Rich two for 18, Manoj two for zero, Vimal two for 29 and Hamza one for 21 sharing the wickets.

The total needed was 101 to win.

Sunny Stephenson and Danny Carson opened the batting and of the first ball of the inning Sunny was ped at square leg but with the fourth ball of over number two, Danny was LBW to his first delivery six for one.

This rapidly became 14 for two when Sunny gloved one to the ‘keeper and at 17 Charlie Hutton chipped one to Ellerby and Downpatrick were teetering at 17 for three.

Thank goodness for Gavin Ringland batting at five and together he and Amitesh added 41 in eight overs.

However, Gavin cuffed a knee high full toss down Wilmott’s throat for 17 (two fours and one six).

This brought Hamza Khan into bat and he must have had a dinner

reservation for six o’clock as he tried

to beat the cover off his first two or three balls when a calm head was required.

However, he did calm down and along with Amitesh added 33 before Khan was out for seven (91 for five).

It was now ten to win from 19 overs, and although Amitesh was bowled for 41 at 94, only seven were needed and

Vimal and Manoj saw Downpatrick over the line with 18 overs to spare.

Match ball kindly sponsored by Toals Bookmakers, Downpatrick.

This Saturday Downpatrick is away to Bangor and then on Sunday they are away to Larne.

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