Jeff Maguire - Dundrum CC

Dundrum cricket club Under 18's travelled to Shropshire after visiting Ayr in the previous two years and played three games with another rained off in a three day trip that finished with a superb day at paintballing.

The touring party consisted of 13 players, Tour manager Paddy Hutley, scorer Dave Williams and coach Jeff Maguire. It was very well organised from the moment they arrived at George Best Airport although how Jack Taylor could blame his dad for heading to the wrong airport beggars belief .

The flight took 45 minutes with another 35minutes to get the kit bags and then it was off to St. Georges in Telford. It was strange that after being on the go for 7 hours Dundrum chose to bat on winning the toss. Even though the wicket was a belter it backfired as the captain Terry Hutley went for a duck 4th ball and when Asif Hassan (3 for 9) got both Greg Hutley 4 and Eoin Moag 5 the score was 32 for 3 off 8 overs it was looking like the strong senior team was far too good for them.

Picture right: Dundrum U18 squad -Three day tour - St Georges cricket club / Madeley cricket  club in Shropshire - with Coach Jeff Maguire and club scorer Dave Williams

Jack Taylor started positively as did Matthew Porter both cracking boundaries as Dundrum seemed intent on going after the bowling in the 30 over game which they would regret as 14 overs went unused. The home side had a mixture of senior and youth players and it was young spinner Nathan Kelly who ripped out the middle order with 3 for 28 just when Matthew Porter was well set with 28 (including 5 boundaries) and Jack Taylor 16.

However, Matthew Dougherty showed that the tail could wag with 20 priceless runs as Dundrum scored 101.  This was a poor effort on the best wicket you could bat on and the fact 14 overs left was not lost on the coach hence he would have bowled first after the early travelling.

St Georges opened with the hard hitting experienced Indian Bobby Gill but when his partner was out after Harry Hitchens hit middle stump first ball it was just what the villagers needed as they fought back to reduce the home side to 32 for 5. Greg Stewart, the best bowler on tour, was on the money with 2 wickets and three maidens and Eoin Moag picked up two wickets for 19.

The home side captain Sam Morgan, who plays for their first eleven, is a very high class stylish batsman and went about the job of chasing the last 50 required. He finished with a classy 27 not out including two big sixes and two boundaries. Matthew Porter and Jack Taylor picked up the last two wickets to fall with St Georges winning by 3 wickets in the 27th over.

The next game was a 15 over bash with everyone having a bowl and both openers scored half centuries, with Bobby Gill looking a decent player and captain Sam Morgan hitting 25. With 144 their total rain stopped play when Dundrum had reached 44 for 3 with Matthew Dougherty 16 not out. They had an excellent tea and off to the cinema and prepare for two games the next day.

The next day, as it was in Scotland on the previous tour, Dundrum seemed less tired and more prepared. They got a very good start with Jack Taylor (32), Harry Hitchens (16) and Matthew Porter (21) all contributing but it was the captain Terry Hutley batting six and brother Greg at nine that upped the tempo. 66 runs came in the last five overs with some very attacking shots from both Terry (40 not out) and Greg (34), the latter out trying to repeat another big six as Dundrum posted a useful target of 178 for 7 in 20 overs.

Callum Watson, a very good young 14 year old, bowling quick with late swing. The 6 feet 3 inch lad took 3 for 27 for Shropshire and was the pick of the St Georges attack.

Dundrum knew that to win they would have to get the home sides talisman Sam Morgan out early and they got worst possible start as third ball opening bowler Harry Hichens had to retire injured. However, Stuart Campbell picked up Morgan due to a very good diving catch by Eoin Moag (wicket keeper). Jack Taylor and Greg Stewart both got wickets leaving the total 28 for 3 in six tidy overs.

Dundrum were content on keeping the hard hitting Bobby Gill on the bench as they seemed to avoid a few catches and run outs but Indian all rounder Awais Arif (29) batted well with Alex Thornton (21). Late runs came from Callum Watson with 21 not and Bobby Gill as both hoisted a couple of big sixes each. Shropshire scored 135 for 6 in 20 overs to give the touring team a good boost. The winning margin was 43 with many thanks to captain Sam Morgan who got players from other clubs.

Pictured right: Samuel Bingham, Greg Hutley and Conor Gibson rocking the costumes as part their fines.

T20, Pink Ball, Music Pumping and Barbeque At Madeley CC
Dundrum travelled the short distance to play Madeley in their last game of the tour and it was to be a night to remember. The pink ball being used was unreal and made a real difference at night time. It was a new format that was good as was the use of 15 x 8 ball overs.

Dundrum got a great start as Stuart Campbell, who has had superb year with bat and ball, hit some cracking shots to every part of one the oldest cricket grounds in England. 51 runs came in 4 overs with Stuart making 26 and Jack Taylor 12. Matthew Porter provided the shot of the tour with massive straight six out of the ground on his way to 18.

Madeley had a very quick bowler in Nutting but he simply bowled far too short but at 63 for 3 of six overs the game turned to Dundrum as their captain Terry Hutley (batting at five) produced a superb knock against good bowling with 70 not out in 40 balls. Playing some cracking aggressive shots with 103 coming in 9 overs he got good support from Eoin Moag as they reached 167 for 6. With lots boundaries the music added to the good crowds excitement.

Dundrum bowled very good line and length - Eoin Moag 2 for 13 and man of the match Terry Hutley 2 for 21. Tom Clinton batted well for the home side scoring 34 and one of the best catches seen was taken by the best fielder on tour Eoin Moag. As bad light stopped play with Madeley on 87 for 7 with only 3 overs left.
The players were treated to a superb barbeque and already there are plans for a T20 three team competition next year. The tour was superbly set up for cricket and fun. It was a great success and many thanks to both excellent hosts St Georges and Madeley cricket clubs.

Player of the tour: Terry Hutley (with an excellent average of 112)
Best Bowler: Greg Stewart
Best Fielder: Eoin Moag
Players Player: Matthew Dougherty
Coaches Player: Eoin Moag (Outstanding wicket keeping, superb catching and bowling)