BANGOR’s cricketers faced a tough challenge in their first away fixture of the season last weekend at the historically tricky Queensway ground.
Known for its challenging slope and oddly shaped boundaries, the venue has often made life difficult for bowlers and fielders alike. The task ahead of Bangor was not an easy one, especially after they had defeated opponents Derriaghy just a week earlier in the Challenge Cup, with the home side eager to make amends.
Winning the toss, Bangor elected to bowl first, aiming to restrict their opponents to a manageable total. Opening the bowling, Manav Chhabra and Connor Brown quickly set the tone, with Brown taking the first wicket of the match. In the third over, Brown produced a brilliant in-swinging yorker to bowl the opener. The Derriaghy batsmen struggled early on, and the partnership of Brown and Chhabra continued to show excellent control. Chhabra soon got his reward in the seventh over, dismissing Ross Bailey with a beautiful outswinger that kissed the off stump.
At 27-2, Bangor were in control. Derriaghy’s new batsman, Craig Lewis, quickly found the boundary with his first ball, before Chris Pyper pulled off an astute tactical move that set up the next wicket. With Lewis at the non-striker’s end, he let the ball go for a boundary, ensuring that Chhabra would bowl to Lewis on the next delivery. Chhabra took full advantage, sending an away swinger past Lewis’s bat to clean bowl him.
Bangor’s discipline in the field was on full display, as they reduced Derriaghy to 45-4 when opener Ryan Beckett skied a catch that was expertly taken by Andrew Kirkpatrick.
Derriaghy’s overseas player, Renco Adams, was the next to settle at the crease, and he started to steady the innings. Despite a few early edges that fell just short of the fielders, Adams began to find his rhythm. However, Pyper broke the resistance, removing Aaron Kinnin with an inswinger. A few overs later, he claimed another wicket with a knuckleball that found the edge of Stephen Cairnduff’s bat, leaving Derriaghy at 124-6.
Spin bowlers Will Simpson and Angus Farrell then took control on the slow wicket, with both creating chances. Adams, however, continued to make progress, hitting boundaries and reaching his century off 96 balls. Just as it seemed Derriaghy might recover, Adams was clean bowled, bringing the innings to an end at 211 all out.
Farrell’s contribution was key in restricting Derriaghy, finishing with remarkable figures of 9.2-3-12-3. His control in the middle overs helped limit the home side’s scoring and ensured that Bangor could chase a manageable target.
Bangor’s chase got off to a shaky start. Opening batsmen Jonathan Keenan and Johnny Parker were both dismissed early, with Keenan bowled by Benjamin Cairns in the second over and Parker caught at fine leg. At 26-3, Bangor were in a difficult position, but Kirkpatrick and Gareth McCullough were determined to rebuild the innings. Kirkpatrick took the attack to the bowlers, using the pace of the wicket and the short boundaries to good effect. However, disaster struck for McCullough in the sixth over when he was dismissed after a hard-fought knock.
With Bangor now at 26-4, Adam McCusker, returning to cricket after a year’s absence, joined Kirkpatrick at the crease. McCusker showed mental toughness, absorbing pressure and putting it back on the bowlers. The pair started to build a partnership, but McCusker was unfortunately dismissed when Adams pulled off a stunning catch to remove him.
Chhabra joined Brown at the crease, and together they looked to regain control of the chase. Chhabra played an aggressive knock, hitting boundaries with ease, while Brown offered calm and stability at the other end. The pair brought up the 100-run mark, and it seemed that Bangor were back on track. However, with the score at 123-6, Chhabra was dismissed for 26, bringing the momentum back in Derriaghy’s favour.
As the clouds gathered over the ground, Bangor’s hopes seemed to dim. With just under 100 runs required and only a few wickets remaining, the task ahead was challenging. But then, in a moment of brilliance, Will Simpson took guard and started to play with confidence and flair. His aggressive strokeplay was complemented by Brown’s steady partnership. The 50-run stand came up at a run a ball, but soon after, Brown was dismissed, leaving Simpson to finish the job.
Simpson remained undeterred. With the match on the line, he continued to strike the ball with precision and power. He reached 50 off 35 balls and continued to push forward, even as the pressure mounted. In the end, he guided Bangor to victory with a six, finishing unbeaten on 65 off 48 balls.
Bangor chased down the target of 211 in 39 overs, with Simpson’s match-winning knock being the highlight. However, it was the collective effort that stood out. The even distribution of wickets, the contributions of the middle order, and the all-around teamwork were key factors in the win. The victory was a true team effort, with everyone playing their part.
With this dramatic win, Bangor are off the mark in Section One. Their next match comes tomorrow (Friday) evening in the first round of the T20 Trophy at Laurelvale, followed by a home fixture against Limerick in the Irish National Cup on Saturday.
Derriaghy 211 (43.2 overs, R Adams 107, M Chhabra 3-27, C Pyper 2-33, A Farrell 3-12)
Bangor 213-7 (A Kirkpatrick 27, A McCusker 28, C Brown 38, M Chhabra 26, W Simpson 65*, R Adams 2-28, B Cairns 2-28, W Hughes 2-41)
Bangor beat Derriaghy by 3 wickets
