Kumar class

Kumar class

10 July 2024

DOWNPATRICK seconds gave up their home advantage, as the first team had lots of rearrangements, and instead made the trip to play Muckamore fifths. 

Downpatrick won the toss and captain Lijo Mathews decided to bowl first due to a slow pitch and outfield. 

Downpatrick had a strong bowling attack and they were very confident to chase whatever the target was. 

Sammy Irwin shared the new ball with Sager and Basheer and Sammy got the breakthrough in his second over before Sager grabbed two wickets in the fifth. 

Muckamore found runs hard to come by but Callum Stewart was the exception, well set on 34 with three sixes and two boundaries at 50 for three off 11 overs. 

The home side must have been very disappointed in losing seven wickets for just another 19 runs with Akshay Mishra three for 19 in six overs.

Downpatrick’s very promising all rounder, Mohammed Agadi, produced four excellent overs, hitting the stumps three times and taking four wickets for only four runs in 13 balls as Muckamore crashed to 69 all out in 21 overs. 

This backed up Mathews’ decision to bowl first and all of the attack pitched the ball up.

Downpatrick lost Brian Perry in the first ball but Arun Kumar and Manish Kumar’s partnership of 33 set up the run chase before Manish was unfortunate to be caught LBW for 11.

However, opener Arun Kumar batted very solidly recorded 41 in 30 balls with four boundaries and two sixes finishing not out with the winning runs coming in 12.4 overs.

Downpatrick seconds, under Lijo Mathews’ captaincy, have been very competitive and he has them superbly organised as they push to try and win back to back promotions. 

They move into joint second in Section 7. 

With lots of competition for places, Downpatrick can definitely go close under his shrewd leadership.

Match ball kindly sponsored by Oak Grill, Castlewellan.