By Chris Pyper
BANGOR Cricket Club made the trip across the Irish Sea on Saturday morning to take on their counterparts from north Wales.
The game came about as the Welsh city is celebrating their 1,500th anniversary this year and as such, they felt it would be fitting to stage a cricket match between the two clubs as a way of marking the occasion.
Convening at the port in Dublin, the north Down team were weary by the 4am start, yet resolute in their understanding of the task at hand. The game was attaining widespread attention in Gwynedd, so much so that both captains were invited onto the BBC Radio Wales breakfast show to preview the match.
After a slight delay, the north Down men arrived later than expected to the ground. The sagacious leadership of Johnny Parker was on full display, securing a 40-over game and electing to bowl first.
In the shadow of the surrounding Snowdonia mountains, illuminated by the blazing sun, Michael Skelly and Chris Pyper worked in tandem to take two early wickets in the opening stages of the game, both caught as a result of guileful swing and seam, combined with searing pace.
Skelly’s outstanding efforts were rewarded when he bagged a second wicket as his bouncer was sent sky high. The whole crowd held their breath as Max Escott moved gingerly towards the ball. The batsman bowed his head believing his fate to be sealed, but Escott’s teammates were not so sure, believing they’d seen this play before. His bravery prevailed as he caught the ball on its descent much to the jubilation of his compatriots. The ‘pilgrims’ were now in control.
The Australian number three and South African overseas pro began to settle the innings for the home side. Showing great poise and control and making use of the lightning outfield, the total advanced to 95-3 at drinks.
New signings Manav Chabra and Angus Farrell did well to restrict them with great discipline in the middle overs. Time moved on and with it so did Bangor’s batsmen. After the retirement of two batsmen, new challengers arrived at the crease. Angus Farrell wasted no time in removing one of them, caught at mid-off for his first Bangor wicket.
An understandably emotional Angus was congratulated by teammates, as years of hard work and dedication had culminated in this moment.
Speaking of dreams, U11 star from last season, Teddy McIlwaine, got the opportunity to field for the first team for a few overs. Chairman Peter McIlwaine watched on with glee in his eyes as his son was about to have his first involvement, but Skelly was having none of it and sprinted hastily to cut off the youngster and field the ball himself.
Max Escott, Andrew Pyper, Conor Cox, and tour manager Will Simpson all bowled tightly and with great skill. Flight, dip, turn, swing, speed, drift and accuracy were all present in varying dosages throughout each man’s spell.
Special mention must go to Manav Chabra who put on an imperious bowling display, but went home wicketless.
He even stepped in to save Michael Skelly, who couldn’t finish his final spell because of a sore heel. The injury was related to him becoming accustomed to County Cricket facilities since becoming best friends with Rehan Ahmed whilst net bowling at Leicestershire CCC over the winter.
The Welsh Bangorians finished on 234 and after tea, Sam McMillan and Jonny Parker went out to open the batting. McMillan was the early aggressor with a display of alluring strokemaking. Disaster struck soon after though, as a short ball crept up on McMillan, who top edged it to third man for 19.
Wickets fell at regular intervals but not without flashes of brilliance from Simpson, Chabra and Farrell. Nathan Belshaw had a brief cameo at the crease, disheveled after using anything but his hands as a stand-in wicket keeper.
After attempting two scoops, Belshaw went for the lower percentage shot of a front foot drive and was castled. Parker was later joined at the crease by Michael Skelly, who managed to go out and wield the willow marking the greatest comeback since Lazarus. Parker eventually went for 34 after anchoring the innings steadfastly and with admirable application.
Skelly would then pick up where Parker left off with much less subtlety. It was either fearlessness or folly which fuelled Skelly’s knock but by the end of the game he had matched Parker’s 34.
In the end, Bangor came second, but acquitted themselves well. They represented the club with the utmost dedication and, with it being a tour of sorts, the guys were treated to an evening at the pavilion by the hosts before venturing out to the city centre to enjoy the rest of their evening and then beginning the long trip back home the following day.
