By Peter Shields
NORTH Down’s young cricketers enjoyed a remarkable few days last week, with the U-17s
reaching an All-Ireland final in Cork and the U-15s adding another NCU trophy just two days later.
The U-17s were crowned NCU champions at The Green following their victory over Lisburn last Monday and less than 48 hours later, they travelled to Cork to represent the NCU in the All-Ireland playoffs.
North west champions Donemana provided the opposition in the semifinal at Cork Harlequins last Wednesday morning, and North Down produced another excellent bowling and fielding performance.
Donemana batted first and were restricted to 101 for 9 from their 20 overs. Josh Parker took 2 for 20, Isaac Webster recorded 2 for 16 and Ben Ewart posted an excellent 2 for 7 from his two overs, while Luke Crothers and Fraser Mitchell also claimed wickets.
Harry Heron enjoyed an excellent game in the field, taking three catches and combining with Joshua Montgomery for a run-out.
North Down lost a couple of early wickets in reply, but Alex Fielding steadied the chase with an important 37 from 46 balls, striking five boundaries.
Captain Crothers took responsibility for seeing his side through, finishing unbeaten on 27 as North Down reached 105 for 4 in 15.4 overs, winning by six wickets and booking their place in the All-Ireland final later that afternoon.
The decider at Cork County brought a considerably tougher assignment, with North Down facing Leinster champions Railway Union.
The Union’s innings were built around two strong performances at the top of the order, with Kelleher making 62 and Hasler 57 as they posted 155 for 5 from their 20 overs.
North Down stuck at the task in the field, with Jaxon Dines, Isaac Webster and Mitchell among the wicket-takers, while Crothers produced an outstanding spell of 1 for 15 from his four overs, including a maiden.
Chasing 156, North Down were never quite able to establish the partnership needed to put Railway under real pressure.
Alex Fielding top-scored with 17 and Ewart made 12, but wickets fell regularly and North Down were eventually dismissed for 92, leaving Railway Union deserved 63-run winners.
There was disappointment at falling one game short, but reaching an All- Ireland final was an excellent achievement for the group and represented North Down’s first appearance at that stage for many years.
For several of the boys, there was barely time to recover, as the U-15s travelled to Shaw’s Bridge to face Instonians in the NCU League Cup Final last Friday evening.
It was a difficult assignment, against an Instonians side which had already won the Graham Cup and become All-Ireland champions.
North Down had reached the showpiece following a comprehensive semi-final victory over Lisburn and, after captain Joshua Montgomery won the toss, elected to bat first.
Daniel Pooler made an important 27, while Isaac Webster gave the innings some impetus with 35 from 26 balls, including three sixes.
At 97 for 4 after 12 overs, North Down were well placed, and Isaac Wilkinson produced the innings which transformed the total.
Wilkinson struck a superb 52 from only 23 deliveries, including five fours and four sixes, before retiring at the competition’s compulsory retirement mark. His attacking innings propelled North Down to an imposing 165 for 8 from their 20 overs.
Instonians began their reply positively and, at 81 for 3, with the dangerous Agnew still at the crease, the final remained very much in the balance.
However, North Down took control of the game from there. Joseph Barr produced the decisive spell, removing Agnew for 19 and finishing with three wickets from his two overs.
Wilkinson and Leyton also claimed two wickets apiece, as 81 for 3 quickly became 107 for 7.
The bowlers were supported by an excellent fielding performance, with Daniel Coulter producing one of the catches of the evening, before later adding a run-out.
Instonians were eventually dismissed for 135 in the 17th over, giving North Down a deserved 30-run victory and the NCU U-15 League Cup title.
It brought an end to extraordinary five days for the club’s youth section, which featured an U-17 NCU title on the Monday, an All-Ireland U- 17 final on the Wednesday and an U-15 NCU title at on the Friday.
