ARDS and Donaghadee’s cricketers triumphed in their first major final since becoming a merged club, beating Larne by 27 runs to lift the LVS T20 Shield on a memorable evening at Northfield.
In the build-up to the showpiece, club members and volunteers had worked tirelessly to prepare the ground, and their efforts paid off. A vibrant crowd of a couple of hundred supporters from both sides gathered around the boundary, creating an electric cup final atmosphere.
Larne won the toss and opted to bowl first – a decision that didn’t bother Ards and Donaghadee skipper Michael Martin, whose side had always planned to bat first and apply scoreboard pressure. Martin and fellow opener Rory McVeigh raced to 41 in just five overs with a flurry of stylish boundaries that ignited the home crowd.
Though both openers departed after setting the tone, the middle order continued the momentum. Jordan Wilson, Iain Aitken, and Sam Ingham all contributed with composed and attacking cameos, and a late flourish from Andrew Savage, featuring two massive sixes, added vital impetus. The hosts closed on a competitive 133-5.
As the sun dipped and the team song ‘Silver Springs’ echoed around Northfield, what followed was a team bowling performance worthy of any final. Jordan Wilson (1-17) set the tone early, keeping things tight, and he was ably supported by the reliable Dillon Osborne, Chris Walton and Connor Balfour, who all turned the screws with relentless accuracy.
The turning point came when Andrew Savage removed two key left-handers – Chris Dempsey and Christopher Keenan – before dismissing the dangerous Stevie Morton. Meanwhile, Phil McNamara once again demonstrated his class, finishing with a remarkable 2-11 from his four overs, including the vital wicket of Simon King, brilliantly caught by a diving Jordan Wilson in a moment that brought the crowd to its feet.
With wickets tumbling and the required rate climbing, Larne ran out of answers. Ards and Donaghadee’s bowlers maintained their class and the visitors eventually fell 27 runs short, sparking jubilant scenes at Northfield.
The T20 Shield was presented by NCU vice-president Ian Houston to a proud home side, capping off a night that will live long in the memory of everyone connected with the club.
A massive thank you goes to the sponsors, supporters and all those who helped make the night possible. With the T20 Shield now proudly in hand, hopes are high that this is just the beginning of many more successes to come.
