Downpatrick move to top

Downpatrick move to top

13 June 2012

A STUNNING spell of bowling from Downpatrick professional Erik Laubscher propelled his side to the top of Section One on Sunday.

Laubscher took five wickets for just seven runs in a devastating seven over spell which decimated the Woodvale batsmen and helped Downpatrick to a convincing 69-run victory.

Faced with a bowler-friendly wicket, Downpatrick captain James Magowan won the toss and made the bold decision to put his side in to bat. This looked like a misjudgement when the home side lost the key early wickets of Paul Tate (7) and Laubscher (6).

Magowan, along with Dale Mullan, guided Downpatrick past the 50-run barrier before Mullan was removed for 18.

Aaron Ferris joined his skipper at the crease and the pair put on a 42-run partnership to push Downpatrick past the 100-run mark. Soon after, Magowan was clean bowled, departing for a useful 31, and Ferris followed soon after for 21.

Gavin Ringland provided stern resistance in the face of some excellent Woodvale bowling, on his way to an unbeaten 25. However, he ran out of batting partners as the Downpatrick tail failed to wag, and the side slumped to 143 all out.

Things started perfectly for Downpatrick’s bowling attack, when John Wheeler claimed a wicket in his first over. Wheeler, who has been in sublime form for Downpatrick since his move from Saintfield, produced an excellent display of bowling to finish with astonishing figures of one wicket for just two runs from his six overs, including five consecutive maidens.

Dan Carson, another in-form bowler, chipped in with a couple of wickets of his own to reduce Woodvale to 55-4 from 20 overs. Youngster Luca Rea also claimed a wicket. However, it was the introduction of Laubscher, into the bowling attack that proved crucial.

Fresh from a hat-trick in last weekend’s Ulster Shield fixture against Killyclooney, he ripped through the Woodvale batsmen with devastating leg spin and the visitors slumped to 74 all out in the 33rd over.

This fourth successive league victory puts Downpatrick joint top of the section with Lurgan. Saturday is a major day for the club when they host North Down in the Challenge Cup and then travel to Eglinton on Sunday to continue their defence of the Ulster Shield.

UPS Man of the Match: Erik Laubscher.