DUNDRUM lost out in the second round of the Graham Cup at Comber to favourites North Down by 41 runs.
However, this was a supreme effort as Dundrum had twounder eleven players and three under thirteen playing against a very big Under-15 side, but the team can take pride as everyone gave 100% writes Jeffrey Maguire.
North down were put into bat and the bowlers definitely bowled too short letting them get away to a quick start. The outfield was very quick and the runs flowed but Greg Stewart who has impressed even the first team in net practice got the first wicket caught by young NCU under-11 player Spike Davis.
Terry Hutley took a wicket with his first ball caught by the safe hands of Glenn Morrow. The home side had two excellent attacking bats in Adam Curry and Lex Walker and both struggled with Dundrums under-13 NCU player Andrew Foster who bowled well in advance of his age with four overs, one maiden, two wickets for just seven runs which in a total of 135 was a super effort from Andrew.
Walker survived a massive snick caught by wicket keeper Greg Hutley but was adjudged not out. But Walker who is a very impressive all rounder and would play in Dundrum first team also survived a dropped catc.
Dundrum’s fielding was decent with Eoin Moag, Edward Boyd Stuart Campbell all worthy of mention but Adam Curry was out for a well-played 45 including some big sixes but Lex Walker kept playing aggressive strokes and sweetly timed shots all around the sun drenched comber ground .
The solid attack of Dundrum is impressive but lacks more slow bowlers to take the pace of the ball. Captain Jack Taylor therefore brought on Peter Wilson and it created chances with lots of shots landing between and was unlucky not to take more than one wicket as was Glenn Morrow who both kept the runs down as score well over 160 looked a strong possibility.
Dundrum knew a steady start at the opening spell would be the key to pulling of a shock victory but after Jack Taylor (8) hit two nice boundaries he went back and was bowled by the pacey Lex Walker and next ball he again hit middle stump. But Terry Hutley was intent on getting the villagers back into the game and with Andrew Foster they got a partnership going and Terry played some superb cover drives and shots both side of the wicket as the runs flowed.
However, Andrew was out giving Man of the Match Walker 3 for 7 of 4 quick overs and 2 maidens but Peter Wilson struggled with the pace but helped Hutley with good running. Dundrum put up a great effort as Peter scored 13 and Eoin Moag got of the mark with a cracking boundary and Mathew Macauley slow bowling got 2 for 11 as North Down’s fielding was excellent.
But Terry Hutley showed why he is getting games with the firsts and seconds by scoring a very stylish 43 not out as Dundrum finished 95 for 5 of 20 overs
Innings of North Down: A.Curry 45 L. Walker 52 (not out) ND total- 135 off 20 overs for 5 wicketsBowling: G.Stewart 4overs/ 24runs/ 1wkt A.Foster 4overs/ 1maiden/ 7runs/ 2wkts T.Hutley 4overs/ 38runs/ 1wkt J.Taylor 4overs/ 32runs P.Wilson 2overs/ 16runs/ 1wkt G.Morrow 2overs/ 16 runs Innings of Dundrum: T.Hutley 43 (Not out) P.Wilson 13 DDCC- 95 off 20 overs for 5 wickets Bowling: L.Walker 4overs/2maidens/7runs/3wkts A.Curry 3overs/ 20runs C.Irvine 3overs/ 1maiden/ 8runs Gilmore 3overs/ 1maiden/ 16runs A.Steward 2overs/ 10runs Macauley 3overs/ 11runs/ 2wkts A.Marshall 2overs/ 1maiden/ 7runs North Down win by 41 runs]]>
