Obituary: Local cricket fraternity mourns death of Jimmy Forsyth

LOCAL cricket is mourning the death of one of Ballymena’s finest post-war bowlers.

Jimmy Forsyth, spearhead of the First XI attack for around 20 years, died suddenly in hospital last Wednesday. Aged 82, he had been dogged by ill health in recent years.

Jimmy was born with cricket in his blood. His father C.S. (Charlie) was an outstanding all-rounder with Ballymena during the 1920s and 1930s.

Before moving from the Belfast area to Ballymena, Charlie scored a magnificent double century (228) for Sydenham in the Junior Cup final of 1908 – after posting a century in the semi-finals.

Charlie’s son didn’t inherit his batting talent – Jimmy was a genuine No. 11 – but with the ball he enjoyed a long and distinguished career at Ballymena, establishing a record that cannot be surpassed and which is unlikely to be matched.

Jimmy’s performances were dotted with hauls of five wickets and better, but it was in 1963 that the high point arrived, when in a Senior Qualifying game against Bangor at Ward Park, the fast bowler accounted for all 10 batsmen.

Carson McCullough, the Ballymena First XI scorer, was in his mid-teens when he ‘did the book’ against the Seasiders, as a stand-in for the unavailable Jimmy McAuley.

“Jimmy was unplayable on a sporting wicket and a remarkable statistic of the Bangor innings was that Jimmy knocked over nine batsmen without assistance from team-mates. Six were clean bowled, three lbw and the other player was caught by Jimmy Morrow,” he recalled.

Bangor, set a target of 95, were bundled out for 42, Jimmy returning figures of 10-for-15 in 15.2 overs, nine of which were maidens.

Carson added: “Jimmy had a very economical action, and even if he wasn’t taking wickets, he was difficult to score off. He was a brilliant bowler who played a big part in Ballymena securing senior status for the first time in 1964.”

Deserved representative recognition came late in Jimmy’s career. He was 36 when selected by Ulster Country for the Guinness All-Ireland League match against South Leinster at Wallace Park. It proved to be a debut to remember, the Ballymena man snapping up five wickets for 60 runs in his side’s victory.

Playing colleagues of Jimmy’s joined in the tributes to the popular paceman, who had the honour of captaining Ballymena in 1967.

Opening batsman Wilfred Ridge said: “Jimmy was a highly-talented cricketer. He had a quiet, modest manner and wasn’t given to extrovert behaviour on or off the field.

“However, he was a totally committed and aggressive opening bowler, and was much respected by opposing batsmen.

“Jimmy had a beautiful smooth run-up and delivery, which gave him great control of line and length. He also had the capacity to bowl long spells on even the hottest of days, so for many years he was the spearhead and workhorse of the Ballymena attack.

“Jimmy produced many match-winning performances, but in particular I remember a Mid-Ulster Cup final in the mid-1960s against Donemana, at that time one of the best club sides in Ireland.

“On a hard wicket, Jimmy was virtually unplayable and almost single-handedly dismissed Donemana for 29, paving the way for a Ballymena victory by 10 wickets.

“On a personal level, Jimmy was always a most friendly and agreeable team-mate, and I have been greatly saddened to learn of his death.”

Ossie Bailie, now in his 90th year, who captained Ballymena for much of Jimmy’s career,said: “He was extremely accurate and seldom bowled a loose ball. You could trust him to bowl to his field and I would place him at the top of the quick bowlers with whom I played at Ballymena.

Billy Spence, who, from the mid-1960s, shared the new ball attack with Jimmy, alluded to his partner’s “wonderful” accuracy and stamina.

“Jimmy didn’t practise, but he got away with it because his captain knew that on match days his bowling from the outset would be straight and on a perfect length. He was a terrific performer.

“When he wasn’t bowling, Jimmy often fielded at third man or fine leg, and his bullet-like returns warmed the hands of a many a wicket-keeper.”

Veteran Bob Faulkner described Jimmy as “the Brian Statham of Ballymena cricket”, a reference to the accuracy and economical bowling with which the Lancashire player performed for his country and for England.

Wesley Cairns commented on Jimmy’s “lovely smooth action” and recalled a Junior Cup match against Waringstown II, in which the two men shot out the opposition for just seven, Jimmy posting figures of six-for-six and Wesley claiming the other four wickets for one run.

Jimmy hung up his cricket boots in 1972 and subsequently spent more time on the golf course at Raceview and took up outdoor bowls with the local club.

His death occurred less than two month before he and his wife Sally would have celebrated 60 years of marriage.

To Sally, daughter Rona, son-in-law Noel Best and grandchildren Ashleigh and Christopher, heartfelt sympathy is extended.

A private cremation will take place at Roselawn tomorrow (Wednesday).

Billy Spence.

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