Great Games

North Down v Lisburn 2nd Round Senior Challenge Cup at Wallace Park in 1981

In this year the Senior Challenge Cup was won and returned to 'The Green' for the first time since 1936.

The 2^nd Round tie against the formidable Lisburn side was played at Wallace Park and captain Mike Reith batted having won the toss.

At 6 for 2 with Geoff Dempster and Reith out things looked bleak and on the slow track runs were going to be hard to muster.

Don Shields and Robin Haire established the innings but both fell victim to spinner Given Lyness when trying to force the pace.

Shields brothers good day at Wallace Park

In an unaccustomed middle order placing Ian Shields was forced to put bat to ball from the outset and his quickfire 32 lifted the total to a moderate 153 for 8.

Dermott Monteith led a revival with brother Roger and when Denis Artt stumped him the game looked over. Controversy ensued when umpire Murray Power gave Monteith 'not out' calling a 'no-ball' and indicating that Artt's gloves had encroached in front of the stumps.

The over zealous  keeper conceded 5 such 'no-balls' in his attempt to exert great pressure on the batsmen and Lisburn edged closer to their target. Artt caught McDowell for 41 and Reith bowled Lyness, but Ian Shields dropped Bowden at deep mid off amidst growing tension.

A brilliant delivery from Robin Haire and a piece of magical wicket keeping from Artt saw Monteith legitimately stumped as North Down progressed towards a final that they eventually won against Ballymena.

North Down V NICC at 'The Green' Senior Cup Semi Final 1991

North Down had cruised through the earlier Senior Cup rounds seeing off Instonians (158 runs), Cregagh (7 wickets) and Ballymena (73 runs).  The day after they defeated Ballymena, they met NICC at Ormeau in a league encounter and lost by 36 runs, so the match at 'The Green' on the 14th July looked set to be a close affair.  North batted first and Charles Beverland and Colin Magowan had 146 runs on the board before Miller O'Prey got the breakthrough.  Paul Jackson's 26 saw off a complete batting collapse and he was well supported by Dean Simpson's 18.  North finished on a commendable 241 with O'Prey the pick of the home bowlers with 2 for 25.

North Down were 57 for 2 and 123 for 5 the pendulum had swung in favour of the visitors.  No one could have foreseen the drama that was to unfold.  Robin Haire saw wickets fall regularly at the other end until the arrival of Michael Quinn.  His quickfire 39 included five 4s and an almighty 6 before David Johnston bowled him.  This brought O'Prey to join Haire with 20 runs required.  Fourteen runs were required off the last over and the game looked lost but six were needed off the last two and still a six off the last ball.  All fielders were patrolling the boundary as Haire hit a flat batted straight six splitting the long off and long on. The North players were devastated amidst the wild scenes which followed.

Robin Haire -  Match Winner

Michael Quinn brilliant 39

This remarkable win set up one of the greatest Finals ever against Woodvale when North Down won a thriller by 7 runs.

North Down v Donacloney 25th August 1973

As North Down and Donacloney battled for the Section II title they met at 'The Green' in this top of the table clash.

Michael Lumb was arguably the fastest pace bowler in Ulster at the time and at this stage the wickets at the Green were coming under criticism for their condition.

Billy Artt

Two days later, August Bank Holiday, North Down travelled to Moylena where we scraped home by 2 wickets with the car headlights on and no-one sure as to where the winning shot actually went! The League Championship was secured.

North Down v Cliftonville 1908

The teams, meeting in this league clash, had only 7 of the NDCC cup finalists against 6 of the Cliftonville final line up playing at 'The Green' in this game.

Cliftonville batting first scored 102 and RT Adair claimed  7 for 62.  The same 'Red' Adair had scored an undefeated 95 and taken 3 for 42 against Waringstown in July but couldn't make the Cup Final side!  North Down looked beaten on 82 for 9 but were rescued by Albert Anderson 50 not out and TJ McDonald 19 not out.

Albert Anderson 

 North Down v Waringstown 1913

The game featured is the 1913 Cup Final between North Down and Waringstown at Ormeau on the 8th & 9th August when North Down won by an innings and 97 runs. This game preceded the limited overs version that we play today!

At 106 for 4 on the first day North Down were not cruising along, but a sixth wicket partnership between Willie Andrews and Albert Anderson added 163 runs and the favourites amassed 423. Willie Coulter, who regularly travelled from Scotland to play for NDCC was the main bowling attraction.

Willie Coulter (7 for 100)

 North Down won by an innings and 97 runs

1931 Street Cricket 

            Braeside  beat  Railway Street by 29 runs 

The names in this match give rise to speculation.  For instance is J Wilson any connection with Jackie Wilson who has a memorial seat at the Pavilion?  Is W Ireland related to Barry? Dodds of the fruit shop? Galbraith's shop? Harry McKnight of the Garage? Drew Hogg of horticultural fame? Roy Dempster any relation to the great Willie 'Spin King' Dempster? J Shields was related to the current Shields clan.

Upper Crescent beat Mill Street bt 45 runs

1st July at 'The Green'

The MIll Street bowlers used were: J McGreghan, M Donnan, B Patton, R Crosby and J Watson. 

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