A unique sporting event took place on Saturday, 5th April, as Bangor Cricket Club (Wales) hosted their namesake counterparts from Northern Ireland in a friendly cricket match, as part of the wider Bangor 1500th Anniversary celebrations.
An Eventful Day of Cricket and Community
Despite a slight delay caused by the ferry carrying the visiting team getting stuck at Holyhead Port. The match began at 2pm, and spirits remained high both on and off the pitch.
Bangor Wales batted first and put on an impressive total of 232 for 7 off 40 overs. With Nathaniel Scott and Jamie Grimshaw’s making their Bangor debuts, the standout performances came from Nathanael Scott (63 runs) and Franco Kasner (34 runs). For the visitors, Michael Skelly was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 26 runs.
In reply, Bangor Northern Ireland were all out for 126 runs in 24 overs. Jamie Grimshaw delivered a match-winning spell for the Welsh side, taking 5 wickets for 29 runs. Batting highlights for Northern Ireland came from Johnny Parker and Michael Skelly, who both scored 34 runs.
The match ended in a convincing victory for Bangor Wales, marking a fantastic start to their cricketing season and a memorable day for everyone involved.
Celebrating Connections Across the Irish Sea
This special fixture was part of the ongoing Bangor 1500 celebrations, arranged in conjunction with the ‘Bangors Across the World’ exhibition at Storiel. The Northern Irish team spent the weekend in Bangor, Wales, further strengthening the friendly relationship between the two clubs.
The Mayor of Bangor, Cllr Gareth Parry, attended the match, welcoming the visiting players and celebrating the spirit of community and international friendship.
Robbie Marshall, Club Captain of Bangor (Wales), said: “We’ve been wanting to arrange this match for several years, and we’re delighted that it’s finally happened. It was a great game and a perfect way to kick off our season.”
Jonathan Parker, Club Captain of Bangor (Northern Ireland), said: “It’s been a fantastic experience visiting Bangor. The match was played in great spirit, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Bangor Wales to Northern Ireland next year.”
A Highlight of the Bangor 1500 Celebrations
The match was one of many events as part of Bangor 1500, marking 1,500 years since the founding of the city. Alongside cricket, the celebrations include historical exhibitions, community events, and cultural performances.
The Bangors Across the World exhibition remains open at Storiel, featuring contributions from Bangor communities worldwide including new artefacts this week from Bangor, Maine (USA).
This cricket match not only showcased sporting talent but also highlighted the strong and growing ties between global Bangors, bringing people together through sport, culture, and shared heritage.
For more information on the exhibition and the full programme of Bangor 1500 events, visit Storiel and explore the story of Bangor’s enduring legacy across the globe. For full event list visit https://bangorcitycouncil.gov.wales/Events
Photos: (from left to right): Dr Martin Hanks City Director Bangor City Council, Gareth Edwards (Bangor Chairman), Johnny Parker (Northern Ireland Captain), Mayor Cllr Gareth Parry, Rob Marshall (Wales Captain), Peter McIlwaine (Northern Ireland Chairman).
Action shot: Northern Ireland’s Conor Cox bowling to new Bangor Wales’ signing Jamie Grimshaw.
Photo of Bangor North Wales and Bangor Northern Ireland Cricket Club teams.
Photo credits Chris Dawson
