This years finalists are two teams with strong cup final traditions North Down and the current holders Waringstown.
For the neutral it is probably the final that everyone wanted to see. Between them the clubs have dominated local cricket since 2000 and North Down have appeared in seven of the last eight finals and in 2001 and 2003 completed the double with Senior League and Challenge Cup.
Last season Waringstown also completed the double and both sides are currently vying for top spot at the head of the Ulster Bank Premier League, so everything is set fair for a titanic battle between two evenly matched outfits.
The sides are also amongst the oldest club’s in the Northern Cricket Union, with Waringstown having celebrated their 150th anniversary in 2001. For North Down 2007 sees them celebrate their 150th year in existence making this a particularly significant final for them.
As to the history of the competition itself the first Final was played in 1887 and this is the 111th since there were no official competitions during the two World Wars. 20 clubs have contested the 110 finals to date and only 13 have ever won the trophy in its 120 years.
North Down hold the record for cup final appearances with this being their 47th and they have won the trophy outright on 29 occasions. For Waringstown this will be their 30th final appearance with 21 victories.
Cup finals at Downpatrick also have a strong tradition and it is perhaps appropriate that since TCH began their sponsorship the final has returned to The Meadow in Downpatrick, which many would view as its “home” where the Down Democrat is based.
Many will also remember the tragic events of 15 June 1998 when the silver trophy and six-tiered tripod-shaped plinth were destroyed in a fire that engulfed the Strangford Roadclubhouse of Downpatrick Cricket Club. The original trophy was unique in local sport in that it included 101 years of winning teams together with the player’s names.
The trophy itself has been recreated to its original specification and the final is once again hosted at the magnificent new facilities at The Meadow, a case of both literally arising from the ashes.
North Down are led by Peter Shields and can call upon the vast experience of Robin Haire appearing in his 13th final. Most of the team who line out on Friday will have the knowledge of what it takes to win a Challenge Cup final. In trying to pick out key players it would be more a case of who not to mention.
Waringstown captain Jonathan Bushe summed it up as follows:
“Looking at the game it is difficult to pick out key players in the North Down line up they are strong from 1 to 11. Obviously David Kennedy is in great form and always seems to perform well against us. To be honest I am staggered he is not in the Irelandset-up irrespective of the fact that he does not play on a Sunday. Possibly more than most he will want to contribute to North Down winning in what is their 150th year.
Ralph Coetzee can also take the game away from you with the bat and will give 10 overs of control with the ball. Peter Connell is a good player and has added a new dimension to the bowling attack; certainly he caught us by surprise when he first came on the scene.
Marty Moreland has had a fantastic year; sometimes I believe slow bowling is underrated in NCU cricket. Players have a bit of a playing by numbers mentality a question of block, block, slog, but over 35 wickets this year speaks for itself.”
Jonathan Bushe will lead out Waringstown and no doubt NCU President Ivan Anderson will struggle with being an impartial observer as he holds the record for most winning cup final appearances (15) jointly with Roy Harrison both Waringstown stalwarts.
Peter Shields has strong views on the key man for Waringstown:
“Waringstown’s Kyle McCallan is a key man and whilst one man does not make a team, his will be a vital wicket if we can get him early. James Hall is another young player with a fine pedigree and my opposite number Jonathan Bushe is a gritty competitor.
Collectively Waringstown have a fine team who work well together in the field and have a good slow bowling attack. I don’t think either of us can pull a surprise on the other and whoever wins will have played well.”
Those who had the privilege to be at the first day of last year’s final will surely not forget the innings’ played by Waringstown’s Irish international Kyle McCallan and in particular youngster James Hall. The pair added 176 for the third wicket. Hall made a superlative 130 from 129 balls, the sixth highest individual knock in a Challenge Cup final and overshadowed his more illustrious colleague.
That may seem a somewhat harsh assessment when you consider that in a late afternoon onslaught McCallan finished on 92 not out from 52 balls. Also factor in that in the last 13 balls he faced he scored 37 runs and hit 7 fours.
Let’s hope the weather relents and that we are treated to more of the same this year. It is also worth noting that this will be the first official one-day, one innings final since the rule change was passed at NCU AGM last year. The clubs agreed to have a three-year trial and if this year serves up a cracker it is likely we have seen the last of the two-day finals.
Both sides may have been said to have relatively easy passages through to the final with probably the hardest match North Down’s 5 wicket semi-final win over Instonians, but even then they dismissed their opponents for 112.
Now the gloves are off and it will be a question of no quarter asked or given and in a rematch of the 2003 final it may well be that whoever strikes the first telling blow finishes with their hands on the TCH Down Democrat Challenge Cup.
