By Michael Martin
ARDS & Donaghadee Cricket Club’s (ADCC) first team travelled to title rivals Drumaness on Saturday, searching for the win that would see them crowned Mercury Senior League 3 champions.
Playing at the Village Ground, with a par score of 307 for the season and a net run rate of 0.62 in Ards & Donaghadee’s favour, Drumaness needed something of a miracle to not only win the game but also overturn the run-rate deficit and snatch the title.
The toss was won by visiting captain Phil McNamara, who elected to bat first – a decision that all but ended any chance of a run-rate flip, essentially confirming league glory for ADCC.
Opening batsmen Harry Jackson and Andrew Savage faced the new ball and settled any early nerves, putting on 24 before Savage was adjudged LBW.
Iain Aitken made his way to the middle to keep the overs and runs ticking along, joining Jackson, who was soon dismissed and replaced by Owen Roberts.
The decisive partnership came in the form of overseas player Eddie Busby and the big-hitting Matthew West.
The pair combined for 110 runs, with West posting a match-changing 71, which took the ADCC total beyond the 200 runs needed to confirm the league success.
Late-innings contributions from Conor Sims and Chris Walton pushed the away side to a final tally of 253.
Drumaness needed to chase the total in 12 overs to draw level on points and overhaul the run-rate deficit. However, thanks to early wickets from Conor Balfour and Walton, the home charge was quickly extinguished.
The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings, with further breakthroughs coming from Wilson, Savage, McNamara and Busby, before they were bowled out for 195.
The Senior League 3 win not only makes it two trophies in as many years for Ards & Donaghadee, it also represents the first league title and promotion since the two clubs amalgamated in 2022.
The club will now look to continue its upward trajectory, challenging further up the divisions in future seasons.
