Even if Instonians don't go on and clinch a double of Challenge Cup and Premier League titles, one thing is certain. They have banished Shaw's Bridge's reputation as a batsman's graveyard.  Records of the batting variety went tumbling on Saturday, as Rory McCann and John Stevenson smashed centuries in a crushing 177-run victory over Ballymena.

Instonians' total of 322 for one in 50 overs was their highest ever in 50-over competition. And openers McCann and Stevenson, in compiling a stand of 244, beat the previous club record opening partnership of 218 set earlier this season by McCann and Divan van Wyk in the Ulster Cup win over Strabane.  There could, and probably should, have been another record. McCann, who can never have batted more fluently than he did on Saturday, would have had more than one eye on Andrew White's best ever Instonians individual s core of 177, made against North County in the Irish Cup in 2004.  The wicketkeeper batsman barely put a foot wrong in a remarkable innings of 143 from just 123 deliveries. His batting against the spinners in particular was a real treat to watch.

He played the sweep shot, both in the orthodox and reverse manner, with equal aplomb, and never at any stage in his innings was the Ireland A player scoring at anything less than a run a ball.  McCann's century, brought up in just the 34th over, came from 98 deliveries and it was impossible to see how a hapless Ballymena attack could stop him from breaking White's record.  He was pressing the foot firmly on the accelerator by the 40th over, not only with White's record in mind, but with a dou ble century there for the taking. In the end it was 63-year-old spinner Harry Cook who was his undoing as McCann swept him to short fine leg where he was caught at about the fourth attempt by a juggling Stephen Colgan.

He had struck 22 boundaries in an innings which, after his vital contribution in the previous week's Challenge Cup final victory over North Down, reinforced that a player accused of scoring too slowly in the past is taking his game to another level.  Stevenson had to wait until the penultimate over of the innings to bring up a fine century from 131 balls. It was slow by McCann's standards, and he did offer Ballymena two opportunities, most notably when he was dropped on 92.

But if Instonians are to win the title, the left-hander's contributions over the closing matches of the campaign will be vital. He struck 10 fours and one six in his 117 not out.  This was the second time this season that Ballymena have conceded 322 in an innings, following the thrashing at Carrickfergus in June, but this was a more worrying defeat. They should still escape relegation, but gone was the spirit and fight that has epitomised so many of their performances this summer.

James Kennedy's team weren't helped by key absentees. Steve Lazars, their Indian professional, is back in his homeland as he prepares to return to Northern Ireland to live permanently. Injured wicketkeeper Neil Fullerton, Robert Kennedy and the hard-hitting batsman Gareth Fisher were also missing and they still require a win from their final match against CIYMS to be sure of Premier League cricket in 2010.  

Needless to say, scoring 323 for victory was never even the remotest of possibilities. Ballymena were on their knees after being reduced to 21 for four, as Stephen Bunting, the left-arm seamer, bowled both James and David Kennedy.  From there, it was all about damage limitation for Ballymena. Carl Williams top scored with 49 and Richard White made a defiant 26, and it was the 47th over before they were dismissed for 145.