Downpatrick’s 1st XI began a pivotal weekend in their season with a match at the Meadow against fierce neighbours and rivals, Saintfield. Pressure was certainly on the Strangford Road men to deliver, considering the return to form that had been experienced in recent weeks. However, Downpatrick were without at least six potentially “first-choice” players, and would have to look to a mixture of youth and experience to fill the void.

Upon winning the toss, Saintfield skipper Ray McCavery chose to put his side in to bat, on a wicket that was nothing short of perfect for batsmen.

Downpatrick captain James Magowan, still feeling the effects of the back injury sustained in the previous weeks encouter with Cliftonville, opted to open the bowling with Paul Tate (who was to bowl his first spell in over a year) and young Luca Rea.

It was to be a wise decision by Magowan, as Downpatrick reduced the Saintfield batsmen to 33-1 after 10 overs, with Richard Owens scoring just a single run before being dismissed by Tate.

Tight bowling and fielding was the order of the day for Downpatrick, as illustrated by the excellent bowling figures of Rea (0-19 off 5 overs), Professional Muhammad Farrukh (0-14 off 8 overs) and Philip Lennon (1-11 off 5 overs).

Dale Mullan was introduced into the bowling attack, and he and Paul Tate set about dismantling the Saintfield batting line-up in spectacular fashion. Tate claimed two further wickets; Gareth Harrison (13) and John Viner (21), leaving him with final figures of 3-31 from 10 overs.

Mullan’s spell was even more impressive; claiming 5 wickets from his 9 over spell for just 22 runs. His victims included Mark McBriar (6), Mark Yeates (0) and Connor Patterson (31).

Saintfield, clearly reeling from the void left by injured professional BJ Barnett, eventually slumped to 101 all out. Only Connor Patterson provided some resistance to the Downpatrick bowling attack in the latter stages of the innings.

The Downpatrick batting innings did not start as planned, with opener Mullan (6) being dismissed by McBriar with just 9 runs on the board. This brought Muhammad Farrukh to the crease. Downpatrick’s professional, however, has been in scintillating form recently, notching up scores of 150, 52* and 144 in his past three innings.

Farrukh, along with Jeremy McCready saw off a wayward Saintfield bowling attack to coast Downpatrick to victory, with just 14 overs bowled. Farrukh chipped in with another impressive score of 61*, continuing his fine recent form. McCready also remained unbeaten on 22.

This victory increased Downpatrick’s unbeaten run to 4 in all competitions, moving them up to 5th position in the NCU League Section 1 table. Confidence is extremely high at the Meadow, and this will no doubt continue into tomorrow’s match away to Millpark.