MATCH DETAILS - 2000 SEASON: (SUMMARY available)

The 2nd XI was captained by Trevor Dalzell in the 2000 season. Their league campaign started at Lurgan on 29th April but unfortunately was not played due to poor weather conditions. The following Saturday they got underway playing Waringstown at The Lawn. North won the toss and elected to field first. With a weakened bowling attack it was felt to bat second on the all-weather matting was North's best option. Waringstown scored 181-9 in the allotted 50 overs. The main bowling was T.Dalzell 10-0-34-3, P.Black 10-6-5-2 and P.Jackson 10-1-20-2. In reply North fell short scoring 166 all out in 46.1 overs. The pick of batting contributions were R.Turtle (36), T.Dalzell (32) and M.Kerr (31). There was no match scheduled for 13th May so the next match was against Instonians at Ormeau. This unfortunately had to also be re-arranged.

The Cup Game against Civil Service was to be played on the 27th May but was pulled forward as Civil Service's ground was not available on that day. It was a game where the captain (T.Dalzell) owing to the birth of his daughter 3 days previous or the Vice Captain (R.Finlay) pulled into the 1st XI for a league match, were both unavailable. P.Black took over the reigns for this match. Civil Service batted first scoring 176-8 in their 50 overs. North's best bowling was by M.Kerr 10-3-27-2 and M.Featherston 6-0-18-2. In reply North were short of the target by 39 runs scoring 137 all out in 49 overs. It was frustrating to be knocked out of the cup at the first hurdle but it did mean that the 2nd XI could now concentrate on achieving some decent league performances.

The away match to Muckamore at Moylena (Sunday, 4th June) saw a change in fortunes for the 2nds. The record to date read 2 matches played, 1 league, 1 cup, 2 defeats. North made first use of the Muckamore track which was damp due to a lot of recent rain which also threatened to fall again during the match. A very healthy score of 198 was posted. Young Gary Wilson (48 runs) opened the innings with N.Canning. T.Dalzell (61 runs) then joined Gary to build a very useful partnership. Both these innings were important for North but it was especially pleasing to see Gary score almost a half century for the 2nds. Other batting contributions were M.Kerr (27) and P.Wilson (22). In reply Muckamore did score 181-8 in their 50 overs but never seriously looked like getting the target. North did well fielding second in what was very poor conditions for most of their time in the field.

The next match (10th June) was away to Instonians but this too was cancelled due to Instonians' ground being required by their 1st XI for an Irish Senior Cup tie. On the following Saturday, 17th June, North took on Lurgan at Ormeau. North batted first with the best batting coming from J.Hool (42) supported by G.Featherston (20) with several others chipping in. Lurgan ended up 2 runs short of the target scoring 147 all out in the 47th over. J.Hool took a magnificent diving catch right in front of the pavilion to capture the last wicket of Lurgan. It was a ball that had four written all over it and victory to Lurgan until J.Hool intervened. Of course Dazzler, the bowler, has a different view on this !

The next three matches for North proved unsuccessful, losing all three to leave the record in the league standing at 7 matches, won 2 lost 5. On 24th June North travelled to North Down and suffered a very heavy defeat. Batting first they could only manage 70 all out. P.Wilson (25) and A.McAskie (18) were the highlights of a very poor batting display. With 5 ducks in North's batting this was the worst performance for the season. In reply North Down reached the target for 3 wickets. The pick of the bowling was T.Dalzell 8-2-25-3. The second match (25th June) was away to Cliftonville. R. Finlay (Vice Captain) took on the Captaincy of this game as T.Dalzell was unavailable. North scored 155 all out mainly put together by G.Featherston (72) and M.Kerr (38). In reply Cliftonville reached the target for the loss of 4 wickets in 38.4 overs. North's best bowling was N.Black 9.3-0-35-3. The third match (1st July) was at home to Downpatrick who scored 204-7 in the 50 overs. This proved to be too much for North as they managed 139 all out in 46 overs in reply.

The following day saw the seconds pull off a fantastic victory against a very strong Instonians side at North. With M.Dalzell and G.Oakes in the bowling attack they did look on paper the stronger side. Batting first Instonians posted a good score of 213-8 in their 50 overs. The main bowlers for North were N.Graham 10-0-45-3, T.Dalzell 10-2-43-2 and M.Patterson 8-0-32-2. North timed their reply to perfection scoring the winning runs with 4 balls to spare. Batting was lead by P.Wilson (60- including a few reverse sweeps !) ably supported by A.Pannell (44), T.Dalzell (35) and M.Patterson (26). The Instonians boys had never saw the P.Wilson school of batting prior to this. He brought up his fifty with a reverse sweep off Marty Dalzell ! (Mind you he did try this shot few times (9) before success. If you don't succeed ......). This must go down as one of the best team performance to date.

The 8th of July saw the second half of the season begin with the return match against Waringstown at Ormeau. North batted first and posted a reasonably healthy total of 194 thanks mainly to T.Dalzell (69) and several others with scores in the teens. North did not use all their overs being all out in 46.2. Waringstown achieved the target for the loss of 4 wickets in 45 overs. The weather conditions in this match did not favour North. During North’s fielding innings the conditions deteriorated but rather than abandonning the game we played through to a conclusion. Full credit must go to our bowlers and fielders for their perseverance but in particular to D.Heaney for his fine bowling analysis of 10-1-21-1.

Unfortunately the following Saturday, 15th July, North had to concede the match away to Downpatrick as they could not field a side mainly due to the holiday situation. Bangor travelled to North on the 22nd July for their first encounter of the season. North made first use of the wicket and posted an average score of 170. The main batting contribution again was T.Dalzell with 74 runs. In reply Bangor were all out for 149 in the 41st over. The bowling honours were shared around with M.Kerr 10-2-34-3, M.Marais 6.5-0-18-2, T.Dalzell 8-1-26-2 and P.Black 9-1-34-2.

On Saturday, 29th July was a blank fixture for the seconds but there was a game on the Sunday, 30th July away to Woodvale. North fielded first and through some fine bowling restricted Woodvale to a low score of 141 all out in 47.3 overs. Undoubtedly the best bowling performance of the day and probably the season came from 'mister economical' himself (typical of an accountant !), P.Black. After 9 overs he had 8 maidens, 1 run and 2 wickets. The 1 run was a no ball !! A 4 ball was then hit in the last over to leave him with the excellent analysis of 10 overs, 8 maidens, 5 runs for 2 wickets ! Should there be random drugs testing involved in seconds cricket; one wonders ? He still blames the umpire for ruining his figures. Decker was ably assisted in the bowling by his son, N.Black 9-0-28-2 and T.Dalzell 7.3-1-28-3. North made easy work of the low target with C.Fuller (39) and R.Finlay (81) combining in a match winning partnership. North reached the winning post in 30.4 overs losing 2 wickets.

The next weekend 5th & 6th August was a big weekend for the seconds with two home games on successive days. They came out of it with two very good victories and increased their league record now to 7 wins from 13 outings. They were never going to finish at the top of the league but were starting to look like achieving a respectable position. On the Saturday North batted first against Muckamore. They posted good total of 216 - 5 in 50 overs. J.Hool (62) and T.Dalzell (52) were the top scorers for North with R.Finlay (24), N.Canning (28) and A. Pannell (28) contributing strongly also. The pick of the bowling for North was I.Hamilton 7-0-31-2, P.Black 10-0-34-2 and R.Finlay 9.4-0-34-2.

On the Sunday Cliftonville fielded a very strong team with D.Menaul (12th man NCU), M.Turkington and W.McCullough in the side. They elected to bat and set North a target of 196 runs to win. The best of the North bowling was R.Finlay 10-2-28-3, P.Black 10-1-26-2 and T.Dalzell 10-0-43-2. North put together a very solid reply with T.Dalzell (75 - his 2nd fifty of the weekend and 4th in 5 outings), R.Finlay (23), G.Wilson (25), I.Hamilton (23) and G.Featherston (17 no). They passed the target in 45.2 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. This would rank along side the Instonians match as one of the best victories of the season and especially considering how strong a team the opposition fielded !

The following Saturday saw the return game against North Down with the venue this time being Ormeau. After their poor performance in the previous match down at Comber, the seconds were looking to exact revenge. Unfortunately this did not happen. North Down batted first setting a good target of 219 runs thanks mainly to a century by D. Moreland (100). The main wicket takers were N.Canning 10-2-32-2 and R.Finlay 4-0-35-2. North replied with a score of 175 all out in 44.5 overs. The main batting contributions were J.Patton (19), R. Clements (34), G.Wilson (14) I. Hamilton (20), M.Granlees (29) and P.Black (11 no). A better performance than the previous match at North Down but still disappointing with a number of very ‘soft’ dismissals. North lost by 44 runs.

Sunday the 20th of August and the seconds visit Shaw’s Bridge to play Instonians. This promised to be a good match with North having come out on top in the last match at Ormeau. North batted first and posted a healthy score of 210 runs for 9 wickets in the 50 overs. The main contributions coming from R.Finlay (21) T.Dalzell (18), G.Wilson (38), C.Corlett (48) , I.Hamilton (13 no) and N.Black (13 no). In reply Instonians fell short with a score of 110 runs all out in 31.4 overs. The pick of the bowlers were N.Black 6-1-14-3, C.Fuller 10-0-34-3 and P.Black 5-0-13-2. North won by 100 runs. This was the second victory against Instonians this season; a great result considering they eventually won the league !

An attempt was made to play the Lurgan match which had been re-arranged from the start of the season on Friday, 25th August at Pollock Park. Unfortunately after only 18 overs the game had to be abandoned due to a torrential downpour. This game was never replayed.

Woodvale were next up at Ormeau on Saturday, 26th August. This game was also rain affected but was played to a conclusion. North batted first and scored a disappointing 163 for 8 in the 50 overs. It must be said however that the outfield was quite slow due to the grass slightly being longer than normal. The best of the batting was R.Finlay (19), T.Dalzell (39), J.Patton (28) and R.Turtle (36). Due to rain no further play took place on the Saturday and the match resumed on Monday evening for Woodvale to complete their innings. Woodvale landed ‘just’ short in fading conditions scoring 162 all out in the last ball of the match ! Shades of the Junior cup final in 1995 when they came out on top scoring the winning run on the last ball with 1 wicket remaining. The pick of the bowling was P.Black 10-1-40-2 and R.Finlay 10-0-47-4. Ricky’s bowling in particular was notable with him picking up 3 wickets in the last over including that vital 10th wicket on the last ball ! North won by a whopping 2 runs !!

The final match of the season saw North travel to Upritchard Park to play Bangor who batted first. They collapsed leaving North a very low target of 66 runs to win. The bowlers for North were M.Granlees 8-0-29-4, T.Dalzell 8-1-27-3, P.Black 1-0-5-1 and an amazing spell by N.Canning of 5 balls, 2 wickets for zero runs ! In replay North passed the target with the loss of 1 wicket. The batting for North was R. Clements (24 no) and A.McAskie (30). North won by 9 wickets.

Many thanks to all who contributed during the 2000 season.

Dazzler