Lisburn set up a home NCU Challenge Cup quarter-final with holders Waringstown after thrashing CIYMS at Wallace Park yesterday.
David Simpson’s side went into the tie without a win in any form of cricket this season but the captain took five wickets to help blow away a CI team who lost for the third time in just five days in three different competitions.
CIYMS, who were hugely disappointing in defeat to Waringstown in the Premier League on Saturday, were even worse yesterday, bowled out for just 137 on a blameless pitch before the home side strolled to victory with a massive 15 overs to spare.
Lisburn’s meeting with Waringstown is one of just two all-Premier League ties in the quarter-finals with last year’s runners-up Civil Service North hosting Instonians at Stormont.
North Down have been handed an away trip to Section One Downpatrick while two other clubs from the NCU’s second tier, Lurgan and Muckamore, were drawn together, meaning one is guaranteed a semi-final place without having faced Premier League opposition in the competition.
The story of the day was CI’s demise, which probably looked inevitable after they lost four wickets for just six runs to slump from 48 for one to 54 for five after winning the toss. Chris Dougherty had already fallen early to continue his poor run of form, and the innings unravelled after Jeremy Bray appeared to pull a hamstring while batting. The Australian called for a runner and proceeded to smash 24 from just 16 balls, including three fours and two sixes.
However, he was the second of Simpson’s five victims, with the Lisburn captain dismissing Taimur Khan by having the former North Down professional caught behind for a second-ball duck.
Barry Cooper, the opener, was the third of three victims behind the stumps for Derek McCann, and at that stage it seemed CI would struggle to even reach three figures.
The lower order at least managed to salvage some pride but it was really just damage limitation exercise with CI eventually dismissed with almost nine overs of their allocation unused.
Lisburn did have a couple of early alarms, with Greg Thompson caught at mid-off as he needlessly tried to hit Ryan Adair over the top, and it was strange that the off-spinner was withdrawn from the attack after just overs when he had the home side in some difficulties.
True to form, Adair trapped Richard Simpson when he was belatedly reintroduced into the attack in the 19th over, but the horse had long since bolted. Darryl Brown, the Lisburn professional, finally found some measure of form, making an unbeaten 47 from 78 balls, hitting six boundaries, while Robert Rankin looked in delightful touch with a run a ball unbeaten 24.
Lurgan booked their place in the last eight after Niranjan Godbole scored a second century in two days against Holywood. The Indian batsman struck 154 from only 134 balls, including 19 fours and a six, as he shared a 195-run stand for the second wicket with fellow centurion James McCollum. The teenager made 104 from 108 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes, in a total of 350 for five.
Holywood got off to a flying start to reply, but Cameron Grieve claimed three for 19 as they were dismissed for 171 with Lurgan running out 179-run winners.
James Magowan, the Downpatrick captain, struck an unbeaten 62 from only 55 balls as his side romped to a six-wicket win at Bangor. Magowan struck 11 boundaries as the Strangford Road men eased home with more than 25 overs to spare as they chased a modest total of 145.
David McCusker had earlier top scored with 36 for Bangor, with Justin Rea claiming three for 29 and Luca Rea three for 20.
Muckamore had few problems beating Cliftonville at Mallusk with Leslie Allen (4-45) and Neil Gill (3-14) combining to reduce the home side to 124 all out. Michael Turkington’s 42 was the only highlight for the home side as Muckamore cruised home in 27 overs.
NCU Challenge Cup quarter final draw:
- Downpatrick v North Down
- Lurgan v Muckamore
- Lisburn v Waringstown,
- Civil Service North v Instonians
Ties played Saturday, June 16.
