Above: use of image sanctioned by James! Ouch!
Sunday at Stormont brought one of those moments in sport that stops everyone in their tracks. Our young 2s keeper, James Shields, suffered a serious leg injury late in the North Down innings against CSNI — the kind of incident that sends a shiver through any parent or player watching, and a reminder that while cricket isn’t a contact sport, the unexpected can happen in an instant.
James is a hugely popular figure right through the club, part of a tight-knit group of teenagers totally invested in North Down’s future.
The injury came not long after he had joined Ryan Haire at the crease and he has confirmed it was just about the best shot he’d played all season (!) — a beautiful boundary through the covers — before suddenly ending up in a heap at the non-striker’s end in agony.
Helpers from both clubs reacted quickly and did a great job keeping him stable while waiting for the ambulance. Around an hour later, he left Stormont in the care of local paramedics for the short trip to the Ulster Hospital.
X-rays soon confirmed the worst — a nasty double break — a cruel blow for a dedicated young sporting enthusiast. It ends his cricket season and also rules him out of the start of his hockey campaign with Annadale in the Ulster Premier League, as well as the Ulster U18 boys team.
He is undergoing surgery today to reset the leg and stabilise it with screws, and is likely to remain in hospital for the rest of the week.
From me, James, and the whole family — thank you to everyone at both clubs who helped on the day, and to the many people from further afield who have sent messages of support. It has been much appreciated.
As he was being stretchered into the ambulance, under heavy sedation, his parting words to his teammates were simple — “win”.
And win they did
On Saturday, the 2s brushed aside Waringstown at The Green with a dominant nine-wicket win. Having been asked to bowl first, they struck immediately — Jaxon Dines removing Robbie McCollam with the very first ball of the match. Andrew Haire’s spin then proved decisive, claiming 3-29, while Dines (2-19), Ryan Haire (2-18) and Mo Aahil (2-47) shared the wickets to dismiss the visitors for 153 in 35 overs.
In reply, Mo was in sparkling form, producing a fluent 88* from just 68 balls, including 11 fours and 3 sixes. He found excellent support from Tom Crothers, whose unbeaten 47 from 41 balls ensured the target was chased down in only 20.5 overs.
If Saturday had been ruthless, Sunday at Stormont was even more emphatic — albeit overshadowed by the serious injury to our young wicketkeeper. Batting first against CSNI, North Down piled on 243-7, with Hamilton Coulter anchoring the innings with 63, Tom Crothers hitting a brisk 38, and useful contributions from Andrew Haire (28) and Ryan Haire (27).
The total proved far beyond the hosts. CSNI were bundled out for just 99, with Mohamed (3-11) and Jacob McClure-Dalzell (3-24) doing most of the damage, backed up by Dines (1-28) and Joel Parker (1-31).
Two games, two big wins, and 8 points in the bag which strengthen the cause for remaining in Junior 1 next season — the perfect response to James’s parting words as he was stretchered into the ambulance: “win”.
3rd XI – NCU Junior League 4
If the 2s win at Stormont on Sunday was about resilience, the 3s’ home victory over Ballymena 2s was all about batting dominance — led by a truly outstanding innings from skipper Gavin Anderson.
Batting first, North Down piled up 260/4 from their 30 overs. Callum Wilson went early for 13, but Anderson and Jack Heron took complete control in a second-wicket stand worth 163. Heron struck 64 from 56 balls with nine boundaries, while Anderson produced one of the innings of the season — an unbeaten 134 from just 88 deliveries, including 12 fours and six sixes. The pair accelerated steadily, moving from a solid start to all-out attack in the final overs. Zac Parker chipped in with 11* at the death as the total sailed past 250.
Ballymena’s reply began brightly enough but was repeatedly pegged back by regular breakthroughs. Daniel Johnston was the pick of the attack with 3-29 from his six overs, while Thomas Atkinson (2-33) and Alex Fielding (2-22) also struck twice. Isaac Wilkinson and Fraser Mitchell claimed a wicket apiece, and North Down’s catching was sharp throughout.
The visitors closed on 180/9, leaving the 3s comfortable 80-run winners and maintaining their strong push in Junior League 4.
NCU Junior League 11B – Holywood 3rd XI beat North Down 5th XI by 9 wickets
The 5s travelled to Seapark to face Holywood 3s and, despite a superb maiden half-century from Harry McLaughlin, slipped to a 9-wicket defeat.
Batting first after winning the toss, North Down lost early wickets but McLaughlin – playing his first season of cricket – produced a composed and confident 58 from 52 balls, including nine boundaries. William Marsh (17) and Daniel Pooler (17) offered support, but regular breakthroughs for the home side – led by Mark Monteith’s 3–18 – kept the innings in check. The visitors closed on 152 for 9 from 25 overs.
Holywood’s reply was dominated by Monteith again, this time with the bat. He carried his bat for 50 not out, supported by Isaac Bradford (30*) in an unbroken 93-run stand for the second wicket. The home side were helped along by a hefty 58 extras, reaching their target in the 23rd over for the loss of just one wicket. Lleyton Jackson claimed the solitary dismissal for North Down.
All told, it was a weekend full of runs, wickets and a fair bit of drama. The 2s did the double, the 3s put on a batting show, and the 5s had a maiden fifty to shout about despite coming up short.
Above all, we hope James’ surgery goes well and we see him at The Green again soon!
