Not so the game at Comber between, North Down and Instonians. After 100 overs there was nothing to separate the sides, both had scored 191 for 9,leaving the unusual situation of a tie.
The drama could well have been condensed into the final 6 balls of the match, Instonians needed 10 to win and Gavin McKenna was the bowler, James Shannon, having already played the innings of the day as the only man to pass 50 was on strike, score 182 for 7.
First ball Shannon cuts for two, second ball again played into the offside but this time only a single. Now former North Down legend Billy Dale on strike was it to be his day to dethrone the Down Democrat Challenge Cup holders.
Dale plays a defensive stroke, Shannon calls for the single, Dale says no but Shannon keeps coming determined to get the strike. By now Dale has turned his back and Shannon is practically beside him about to manhandle him out of the crease when realisation dawns on Dale. I am on one he is on 62, it is sacrifice time, the ball is returned to McKenna who initially fumbles and Dale is run out by the proverbial length of the pitch.
Question had Dale left his crease before the wickets were broken at the bowlers end in which case it is Shannon who is out, as Dales makes his way back to the pavilion the umpires confer, result decision stands.
Three balls left 185 for 8, 7 to win, Shannon on strike, McKenna runs in and Shannon nonchalantly lifts him over long on for 6. But wait what is going on Shannon punches the air his Instonians team-mates led by former North Down player Andrew White are running onto the pitch to congratulate him, they think it’s all over to borrow a phrase.
Scores are now tied, two balls to go, the umpires restore order and advise the batsman that all he needs to do is play out two balls and Instonians are in the semi-final as a result of fewer wickets lost.
In runs McKenna, Shannon goes for the glory finish but gets a top edge and Andrew Haire holds the catch as a disconsolate Shannon trudges off. He receives a rousing reception from the crowd and his teammates for the innings of the day 68, with 3 sixes and 5 fours, but his body language says it all. In his own mind he has gone from hero to villain in one delivery.
Last ball, a run and Instonians win, a wicket North Down win and a dot ball we go through it all over again. Instonians number ten Richard Heasley is the man on strike, hearts in mouths, some of the Instonians’ players can’t even look, so near yet so far, what do you do, practice does not prepare you for this one.
McKenna steams in Heasley swings, misses the ball, ball passes the stumps and the most relieved man on the pitch North Down captain and wicketkeeper Peter Shields collects the ball. The holders have played their get out of jail free card and live to fight another day.
Off the field Down Democrat Man of the Match adjudicator Richard Johnson is equally relieved how would he have called this one had Instonians lost. Next question was there to be a Man of the Match award, as the match was not decided and would need a replay.
Kieran Moloney CEO TCH Democrat Media was on hand to answer that one having returned from presenting the award at the CIYMS against Dundrum match. Generously he agreed to commission a second award for the replay.
Earlier in the day Peter Shields had top scored with 37 in the North Down innings but it was the Instonians captain Eugene Moleon who took the plaudits with an excellent 3 for 15 from his 10 overs, troubling all the batsmen.
For North Down pick of the bowlers was the unsung Ryan Haire who applied the pressure at the death taking 3 for 29 in 8 overs. All round there were no complaints as Kieran Moloney also accomplished the unique achievement of presenting two TCH Man of the Match awards on the same day, handed over the crystal to James Shannon for his 68 and 3 for 48.
Before the first innings had even been completed at Comber Waringstown were on their way home having completed a nine wicket victory over Derriaghy in a match that lasted a mere 37.1 overs in total.
Waringstown captain Simon Harrison was the destroyer in chief at this one ripping out the Derriaghy middle order with his 4 for 24 in his 10 overs, good enough for the Man of the Match award. Kyle McCallan chipped in with 3 for 20 and fellow international Gary Kidd took 2 for 10 as only Kinnin with 22 not out reached double figures.
Picture this you top score in your own innings then return the best figures in this season’s TCH Challenge Cup with 6 for 16 and you waken up on Sunday morning without the Down Democrat Man of the Match award how come?
Carrick’s Andrew Cowden is asking himself those very questions. When he made 34 out of a total of 143 I am sure the thought was the furtherest thing from his mind. In reply CSNI were coasting at 96 for 4, when Cowden then took 4 wickets in 8 balls to reduce the visitors to 106 for 8.
38 required with only two wickets to fall surely it was in the bag now. Unfortunately one of those two wickets was that of Regan West and he steered CSNI to the unlikeliest of wins with an unbeaten 70.
Put this on top of the 4 for 46 that he took earlier with the ball and it is West who came away with the Man of the Match award and both Cowden and his Carrick team-mates feeling like they had been burgled.
Courtesy Down Democrat
