DUNDRUM lost a very important game against Templepatrick in The Meadow.
With 492 runs scored losing by just 16 but with 3 overs left they must feel it it was four points lost as they must now win at least 60% of the home fixtures writes Jeff Maquire.
Templepatrick had suffered a 9 wicket defeat the previous day and when Mark Yeat’s 2 for 50 got both Greer and Busby in successive balls it looked like it was dejavu but Australian Warren Clunes, and young Jay Hunter simply took advantage of far too much leg side lacklustre bowling.
The easy paced wicket and fast outfield which allowed the runs to flow and Clunes survived a dropped catch, but he was hitting some big shots with 3×6 and 8 crisp boundaries before again the partnership breaker. Gavin McNerlin at 1 for 45 struck in his second over getting Clunes attempting the hoik to mid wicket out lbw for 61 with the total 121 for 3 or 26 overs .
Templepatrick have some talented young players and no doubt they will struggle to keep Jay Hunter who is a very good wicket keeper but it was with the bat that he set the tone with super control over his shot selection as he was intent on batting 50 overs and posting a big target and he achieved a fantastic maiden chanceless hundred with his tenth boundary.
Dundrum were definitely well short of control of the line and length but Rodney Hassard showed his experience bowling 7 tidy overs for just 24 and Rahi Kakade proved his worth with 3 for 32 but Hunter at 107 and Kernaghan on 37 kept the total mounting as it was a massive 249 in 50 overs with Andy Bassett 2 for 52 .
Dundrum have got to learn the importance of building scores and keeping wickets in hand as then any target becomes so much easier but early wickets put huge pressure on the middle order, and the tail after Rodney Hassard hit 3 lovely boundaries before he misjudged a straight ball and left it only to see his off stump hit 31 for 1 of 5 overs. Opener Gavin McNerlin is just going through a rough time but he is a quality player and will score lots of runs but Clunes didn’t drop the second chance.
Templepatrick knew that if they could get Indian Kakade out they would surely win easily. However, Rahi Kakade started in his usual aggressive style hitting some classic shots with eight boundaries in a quickfire 48, but after hitting a six he holed out at mid wicket trying another. With the score at 91 for 3 of 15 overs and left arm spinner Robert Smith 4 for 43 , he got Andy Bassett with the total unchanged.
The local team needed a partnership and captain Alan Tormey was the perfect foil for Joel Maguire who should have been caught on 2 but was playing in the manner he should adopt as he is a very dangerous batsman, and Alan was caught trying to clear the in field for 20 but the 65 runs came in positive fashion with Dundrum well in the game at 159 for 5 with still 20 overs left. But when Joel Maguire fell for a very patient and stylish 73 5×6 5X4 with Dundrum 187 for 7, it looked as if they were well beat but Mark Yeates fell for Clune’s effort to buy a wicket in his last over.
There is a thriving junior cricket section in Dundrum with under 11/13/15 teams and it was a chance for two of the Under-15 team to show the seniors that they are pushing for selection on all fronts with Terry Hutley and Jack Taylor raising the hopes of the vocal home support as they forged 18 runs in 4 overs before Hutley caressed a boundary and might have been unlucky to be given out caught behind for 5 .
The equation was simple – could the last wicket get 38 runs with 6 overs left, and in fairness Jack Taylor showed even with a shoulder injury he has a good future. He pulled Magee for a cracking shot behind square as he and Maguire looked in no bother putting on 22 but Jeff 6 succumbed to the pressure and called a silly single trying to retain the strike and was run out leaving Jack 11 not out and 16 runs short. This was a good attempt but there was still 3 overs left and it was a schoolboy error not to take the game to the last over. Templepatrick fully deserved their win bouncing back after a trouncing the previous day so hopefully the villagers can do the same as they have two cup games in Dublin and Donegal .
Saturday: Irish National CUP : Dundrum LCU v Dundrum NCU
Sunday: Ulster Shield: St Johnstone v Dundrum
]]>
