By Ryan Haire
MO Aahil opened the new cricket season with a century as North Down started their Premier League campaign with a 96- run away victory over Cliftonville Academy.
The home side, decimated by big-name departures, will struggle this term, but with no relegation on the cards, they have followed a few sides in taking a timeout in 2026.
North Down, on the other hand, have strengthened, ensuring a good balance of youth and experience, and took full advantage of their opponents’ transition season.
Player-coach Tyron Koen has welcomed his good friend, Harry Zimmerman, into the fold, alongside fellow South African and experienced professional Mike Erlank, who will prove invaluable both on and off the field.
The match was a hugely one- sided affair, with rain at the Castle Grounds reducing the North Down innings to 42 overs, but the visitors still crashed at 383 for eight.
Opener Mo Aahil top scored with 134 (13 fours and seven sixes), sharing stands of 101 and 146 with Kian Hilton and Stephen Saul respectively. Aahil was dismissed at the end of the
33rd over, with 299 on the board, having set the tone for the day. Runs continued to flow, with Koen hitting a quick 59 from 33 balls, and despite only 15 and five being registered by the debutants, Erlank and Zimmerman, North Down raced to 383 for eight in their allotted overs.
Cliftonville’s response started with a 19-ball half-century from new professional CP Klijnhans. After he was dismissed, at the start of the eighth over, Matthew McCord scored all but 30 of the next 202 runs off the bat.
Home captain McCord, known as a bowler, came to the middle at 49 for two in the fourth over and left in the 33rd, having scored 168 off 94 balls, recording 14 fours and an incredible 15 sixes.
The result was never in doubt throughout the innings, after the mammoth North Down total, but the inability to dismiss McCord will give concern.
On the bowling front, Erlank dismissed his opposite number with his first ball in North Down colours, while Zimmerman (two for 41) and young Jacob McClure- Dalzell (one for 33) enjoyed solid spells amongst the carnage.
Overall, it was a strong first win for North Down who will come up against much stronger opponents over coming weeks in the Premier League and Challenge Cup.
North Down will travel to face North County Dublin in the Irish Cup this week, which will offer a good test of ability against a side which is renowned for its fighting qualities.
