A five wicket haul from seamer Max Sorensen ensured that the Southern XI enjoyed bragging rights over their Northern counterparts at Waringstown.

Sorensen claimed 5 for 25, including a hat-trick as the North lost their last six wickets for just 20 runs, collapsing from 105-4 to 125 all out as they chased a target of 224 for victory.

Scott Campbell top scored with 38, sharing an opening stand of 44 with Rory McCann (21), before Sorensen trapped the Instinians man in front. Lee Nelson was run out by a direct hit from John Anderson shortly after, and when Campbell and White (0) departed in quick succession, it was always going to be an uphill task.

Gary Wilson (21) benefitted from two dropped catches, and for a while it looked like he and Nigel Jones (19) might set up a late charge.

Sorensen though had other ideas, dismissing Wilson, Stuart Thompson and Charles Beverland to claim the hat-trick.

Beverland was a late addition to the squad following the withdrawals of Ryan Hunter and Andrew McBrine from the squad.

Albert van der Merwe claimed 3 for 23 and John Mooney 1 for 26 in the ultimately comfortable 98 run win.

The day had started brightly for the North with Andrew Britton removing Niall O'Brien first ball.

Andrew Balbirnie (23) and Robin Kelly (28) played some impressive strokes as they added 53 for the second wicket. Johnny Thompson had Balbirnie caught, and Nigel Jones then dismissed Kelly and John Anderson (1) in quick succession to leave the game evenly poised at 82 for 4.

The match winning partnership came between Andrew Poynter who hit 7 boundaries in his 47, and Alex Cusack (44). The pair added 81 in 98 balls, and from there with the bowling assets at their disposal, the South were always likely winners.

Kevin O'Brien (5) went early, but Tim Murtagh made a useful 21, with John Mooney and Max Sorensen both scoring 12 as their side finished on 223.

Nigel Jones, Scott Campbell, Lee Nelson and Andrew White all took two wickets, with Andy Britton and Johnny Thompson the other wicket takers.

The sides will meet again in the next game at Bready in the NW on August 12.