TCH Down Democrat Challenge Cup Final Preview

Friday’s showpiece TCH Down Democrat Challenge Cup final has all the makings of a classic as it pits Waringstown against Civil Service North (CSN).  The final, which is 112th official competition, will take place at The Meadow, Downpatrick with play scheduled to commence at 11 AM.

This year's finalists are two teams with strong cup final traditions and are also amongst the oldest club’s in the Northern Cricket Union; indeed CSN or North of Ireland as they were then known played in the first final in 1887, losing to North Down.

For CSN this will be their 36th appearance in the final and their first under their new banner of CSN.  They appeared in 34 finals as North of Ireland and in 2004 as Belfast Harlequins, in all they have won the trophy 20 times.  For Waringstown this will be their 31st final appearance and indeed their third consecutive, with 21 victories.

For some perhaps it will seem strange not to see current holders North Down at Downpatrick as they have graced 7 of the last 9 contests.  That they are not is down to a scintillating performance from CSN in the semi-final.

Some may argue that this is a final between the pretenders to the throne, with Waringstown having been ever so slightly in the shade of North Down as the pair between them have dominated NCU cricket this decade.

CSN have putting the pieces together over the last couple of years and now seem destined to turn the Big Two into a Big Three at the top.

A breathtaking display of batting by CSN in cup holders North Down’s backyard, at The Green, from Gary Wilson and Regan West saw the pair add 159 for the third wicket.  As the two W’s, Wilson and West grew in confidence it became impossible to bowl to either. 

Wilson’s 122 came at almost a run a ball with 16 fours and a six.  Arguably Regan West played the better innings, dominating from the outset, his first 50 coming off just 35 balls.  He finished on 93 not out from 72 balls faced and struck 9 fours and 4 sixes.

By comparison Waringstown’s 81 run defeat of CIYMS almost seemed mundane. Captain Simon Harrison, right took the plaudits for his bowling with 5 for 27 from his 10 overs.  However it was Irish international Kyle McCallan who took the TCH Down Democrat Man of the Match award for his unbeaten knock of exactly 100 off 100 balls.

Friday’s contest may very well hinge on which side can best succeed in stemming the flow of runs from two exciting batting line ups that both possess strength in depth.  Equally it may depend on whether CSN can secure the services of Wilson who is contracted to Surrey County Cricket Club, although skipper Nigel Jones is reasonably confident that he will play.

Waringstown have two of the most talented young cricketers in Ireland at the top of the order in Lee Nelson and James Hall.  Hall announced his arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the 2006 final when as a seventeen year old he blazed his way to 130 against CIYMS.  Perhaps Nelson will repeat the feat this year.

For Jones this is his first final and he is looking forward with anticipation:

“I’m excited, the team are excited, this is a big occasion; we have a good team and Gary Wilson should be available.  This is my third season here and I would describe us as a work in progress, we are not the finished article yet but we are getting there.

As far as I am concerned all the team are on the right page with a blend of youth and experience but we are still looking to add to that and certainly if good players become available we believe we can offer them great facilities to play at Stormont.

We have added to the squad over the winter John Costain coming in as an opening bowler and Regan West probably the biggest name now on board.  The players want to play and availability has been key to our success this year.

Regan by his own high standards did not have the best of starts to the season, but his performances in the cup have been tremendous, winning the TCH Man of the Match in the quarterfinal.  He seems to be coming good at the right time, at the business end of the season.

John Costain has been superb, perhaps he does not pick up big wicket hauls but he is so economical.  He creates the pressure and with myself Alan Coulter and Regan coming on as change bowlers, if we are on song we benefit from it.

In the semi-final I believe Colin Andrews was the pick of the spinners and then we have Wayne Horwood who you can throw the ball to at any stage of the innings and he will do a job for you.”

When I asked him to pick out the threats in the Waringstown team there were no shocks:

“Kyle McCallan is I believe the key, if we can keep him at bay for 10 overs and he finished with say 0-30 I would be happy.  Myself Regan and Wayne Horwood up front are good players of spin.

On the batting side again I see Kyle as the glue that holds them together and you cannot underestimate the talent of Hall and Nelson.  However I do believe our bowling is so much better this year.

Let’s hope we have good weather and a good game.”

That sentiment was certainly echoed by his opposite number Simon Harrison, who goes into his fourth final as a player, with mixed emotions:

“I am a little apprehensive and would have preferred a couple of games last weekend just to spend some time in the middle.  Our last two performances against Bangor and North Down have been below par.  I suppose you would describe it as nervous excitement that I am feeling right now.

It will be great to have Kyle McCallan and Gary Kidd back, they make a big difference and not just in terms of their obvious ability as players.  It should not be the case but when they are in the dressing room there is a tangible change in the mentality of the players around them, so psychologically it is a boost.  Our best performances have been when they are in the team.

It is no secret that the cups have been our major focus this season.  We talked about this and it is virtually impossible to sustain a league challenge when you are missing three players to Ireland three weeks out of four.

The cup schedules both for the Irish Cup and the TCH are based around the Ireland games so we believed this was where our best chances for silverware lay.  I feel we were unlucky against Donemana in the Irish Cup and have performed well to reach the Down Democrat Challenge Cup final.

For me the key is the openers either with bat or ball.  If Lee and James can give us a decent start and we are going into the last 10 overs with only three wickets down then that is when you will see the strength in depth of the Waringstown batting.

If David Cheater and I can bowl well at the start of the CSN innings then again I believe we have the ascendancy.  Dave has been a great acquisition and he has the capability to bowl absolutely superbly at the best batsmen, but he can still be a little inconsistent.

Simon Stokes is revelling in his role as change bowler and he bowls particularly well to left-handers so I am sure he fancies his chances against Wayne Horwood and Regan.

The threats from CSN will come from Nigel himself, Allan Coulter and Regan with the ball.  John Costain also bowled a tight spell against us at Stormont.  With the bat again I would fear West, Jones, Horwood and if he plays Gary Wilson.  In many ways I would like him to play then if we win no one can question the manner of victory.”

Simon finished with his four thoughts for the day, he is looking for sun, wants to win the toss, make the right decision, then either make 300 plus or skittle CSN!  Put like that it sounds easy, but I for one reckon this one is far to close to call for me to stick my neck out and pick a winner.

 

Photos by: Jessica Homer www.jessicahomerpictures.co.uk