By Ryan Haire
NORTH Down firsts secured a double success with superb wins over Woodvale and Instonians in the Mercury Premier League last weekend.
At home to Woodvale on Saturday, the side chased down the visitors’ total of 200 in 37 overs, as professional Mike Erlank led the way with a sparkling 106 not out.
Earlier in the day, the away team started well with the bat, yet international Craig Young and Harry Zimmerman took early wickets.
Despite the efforts of ex-North Down professional Ruhan Pretorius, Woodvale found themselves at 156 for 7, with the hosts’ change bowlers applying increasing pressure, which turned to wickets as the overs ticked by.
The big wicket came in the 44th over, with the score on 168, as Pretorius fell for a fine 62, bowled by the returning Young.
Woodvale stumbled to 200, helped by some 21 extras, and the advantage lay with North Down on a good batting surface and fast outfield at the Green.
In reply, North Down again wobbled at the top of the order, losing James Shields and Mo Aahil for two and four respectively.
The main batting duo of Kian Hilton and Erlank did not disappoint though, as both scored briskly in a fine partnership, combining for 150 in just 23 overs.
Hilton passed his half-century and went on to make 70, before being caught with the score on 154, and two quick wickets from captain Tyron Koen (1) and Harry Zimmerman (2) gave Woodvale some hope of an upset, even with half of the innings’ overs remaining.
In Erlank however, North Down have a professional who has seen it all before, and he used his experience to guide the innings home, passing his own century and going on to record 106 from 106 balls, finishing proceedings in the 37th over.
On Sunday, travelled to face an inform Instonians team, which boasted the most explosive batting professional in Irish cricket, Shane Dadswell.
Electing to bat first, North Down again faltered, with James Shields scoring six and Aahil only managing five, leaving their total sitting at 17 for 2 from five overs.
The key partnership of Erlank and Hilton somewhat rescued proceedings, as the pair took the score to 80, before the huge wicket of Erlank fell for just 15.
Much then rested on the bat of Hilton, and he did not disappoint as he went on to chalk up a superb 112 from 112 balls, with support from Koen (13), Zimmerman (23) and a welcome 51 not out from Tom Crothers, which boosted the score to a healthy 256.
During Instonians’ response, Young and skipper Koen stood up and showed their ability, removing the hosts’ top order, which included Irish International Carmichael, big-scoring Sully Gould and professional Dadswell, for just four.
Koen and Young bowled with accuracy, and the Inst top order had no response as North Down took control, limiting as their opponents to 47 runs in nine overs.
Unfortunately, a heavy shower delayed proceedings, but North Down were not to be denied their best win of the season.
Additional wickets, from Erlank and Zimmerman, closed proceedings at Shaw’s Bridge, with Inst defeated by 136 runs.
