Above: 5thXI turn to pose!
2s Break Their Duck in a Tense Moylena Finish
After weeks of sunshine, the rain finally returned — washing out much of the local cricket, including the 1st XI’s Premier League game against Muckamore at The Green, which didn’t make it past the halfway mark.
But up the road in Moylena, the 2nd XI delivered the result of the day — and their first win of the season at the sixth time of asking. It was a gritty, nerve-jangling affair that finally went North Down’s way.
Luke Crothers did the early damage with a fiery 4 for 21, before the spin combo of Andrew Haire (3 for 29 great to see him regularly in club colours) and young Ben “Bewart” Ewart (2 for 15) finished the job. Muckamore were bowled out for 121.
With the bat, Gavin Anderson brought a cool head to the chase, anchoring the innings with a vital 38 not out. He was joined at the end by Josh Gilmore, who struck a couple of late boundaries in a nerveless 16 not out to see us over the line. A much-needed four points — and a huge lift for a group that’s battled hard all season.
3rd XI
The 3s travelled to Pirrie Park to face Cooke Collegians 2s. Despite a spirited effort in the field and a promising chase, they came up just short. Plenty of good cricket on show and positives to take forward.
4th XI
The 4s somehow managed to get their game played on Sunday — at Mallusk, of all places — and gave a decent account of themselves against a typically strong Superkings 2nd XI. The result went the way of the hosts, but the performance was full of grit.
5th XI
There was more to smile about in the 5s despite the result, as four club debuts were handed out — to Joel Hawthorne (son of international umpire Mark), Joseph Barr, Daniel Pooler, and Daniel Coulter.
Joel top-scored with 20, while Joseph and Daniel Pooler both claimed their first senior wickets. Lleyton Jackson added to his growing early-season tally with 3 for 34 in another solid spell.
Ladies 1st XI & Academy
Both the Ladies Premier League fixture and Sunday morning’s Academy session were cancelled due to the weather. A disappointing one for players and coaches alike, but all eyes now turn to the fixtures ahead.
Off the Field
Two major moments off the pitch this week — one in love, the other in international sport.
Peter “Daisy” Davison, recent 1st XI skipper, was officially promoted to “long-serving and affable” as he married Beth last week. A Grosvenor rugby old boy, socialite, and now fully domesticated man of Comber, Daisy enters married life with the full support of the club. Big congratulations to both from all at North Down.
And in the professional ranks, Tom Mayes made his Ireland senior debut — a fine achievement for a player who played his first club cricket in Ireland at North Down. Arriving as a young man from South Africa, Tom showed a lot of promise during his first spell with the club, and was a popular figure around The Green.
Now living just off Comber Square, he joins a small group of locals to have earned a full Irish cap — no matter the colours he currently wears.
