Bangor maintain lead at the top thanks to derby day win
TABLE-TOPPERS Bangor cemented pole position in NCU Section 2 after proving too strong for neighbours Ards & Donaghadee at Northfield on Saturday.
The hosts, who recorded an impressive 31-run win over third placed Cooke Collegians in their previous outing, won the toss and chose to bat in search of a sufficient total.
After Phil McNamara was dismissed in the second over, wickets continued to fall quickly until Andrew Savage and Ards and ’Dee captain Michael Martin struck up a promising partnership and navigated the score to 104-4.
Martin was then bowled by Bangor’s George Prince and Savage fell victim to Sam McMillan moments later.
This brought two new batsmen to the crease and Bangor seized their moment with wickets shared around, limiting the home side to 137 all out in the 36th over.
The visitors showed their batting intent early on, clearly wanting to get ahead of the rate ahead of any intervention from the rain with darkening skies closing in.
Openers McMillan and Mark Hutchinson brought up their 100 partnership at the 15-over mark, which meant should the rest of the match be rained off then Bangor would be awarded the win via the DLS method, with their brilliant start to the batting innings.
Hutchinson, who brought up his 50 first, went on to hit a flurry of boundaries but not to be outdone, McMillan would hit three consecutive sixes to cap off a fine display of batting from the Bangor men.
The side are back in league action this Saturday when they welcome Ardent Blues to Upritchard Park for a 12pm start.
Ards & Donaghadee 137 (35.1 overs, M Martin 45, A Savage 30, R Van Harte 2-7, C Pyper 2-17, G Prince 3-35)
Bangor 139-0 (18.3 overs, S McMillan 69*, M Hutchinson 64*)
Bangor beat Ards & Donaghadee by 10 wickets
