FOX LODGE UP FOR THE CUP

Ramey Harpur admits there will be a mixture of nerves and excitement when he leads Fox Lodge into Sunday’s Ulster Plate final against Muckamore after a cup run packed with drama.

It will be Harpur’s first final as captain and represents a significant moment for a Fox Lodge side that has endured its share of early exits in recent seasons.

“The last few years have been hard,” said Harpur. “We got to the semi-final last year, but before that there were quite a few first-round exits, so it’s brilliant to be in the final this season.”

Their route to the decider has certainly not been straightforward.

Fox Lodge travelled to North Down in the opening round and progressed in remarkable circumstances after the sides finished level on 182, the Ballymagorry side advancing having lost fewer wickets. Adam Walker claimed five wickets before Swarnim Jha took two from the final delivery to tie the scores.

They followed that by beating a strong CI side, Walker again proving decisive with five for 24 before Charlie Simpson’s unbeaten 64 guided Fox Lodge through.

“CI got off to a good start, but thankfully Adam came on and got five wickets and we managed to chase the runs down,” said Harpur.

The semi-final against North West rivals Donemana provided even greater tension. With the match unable to produce a conventional result, Fox Lodge prevailed 2-0 in a bowl-out as Sam Ashenhurst and Ivan McNeil successfully hit the stumps.

“It’s not a nice way to get put out, but we’ll certainly take it,” admitted Harpur.

He believes Fox Lodge will travel to the final with a well-balanced squad and plenty of confidence.

“We have a good group of boys available. Adam Walker has been bowling really well and young Sam has been going very well this season too, so hopefully they can continue that form.

“We’ve also got boys like Charlie Simpson and Ivan McNeil who have been batting well, so hopefully they can keep that going.”

Harpur has also highlighted Fox Lodge’s fielding as an increasingly important weapon, believing their work in that department proved crucial during the dramatic victory at North Down.

“We’ve worked hard on our fielding and in the last few Ulster Plate games it has been very good. We saved a lot of runs at North Down and I think that helped us get through.”

Now only Muckamore stand between Fox Lodge and the trophy.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be my first final as captain, so there’ll maybe be a bit of pressure and a few nerves.

“But hopefully on Sunday we can do the business and bring the Ulster Plate back to Fox Lodge.”