Nelson Steers the Good Ship Waringstown to Irish Senior Cup Glory

Lee Nelson hardly had the words to describe the feeling that is `Waringstown, Irish Senior Cup Champions 2015'.

Nelson won the toss and positively chose to bat on a wicket that he and his team had full faith in.

A superb 103 run partnership between Nelson and Greg Thompson set the home team up for an impressive total of 276 in their 50 overs.

It was then over to impressive South African and Man of the Match JP de Villiers who took care of the top order, especially the dangerous Langford-Smith who was threatening to do major damage.

Then Waringstown legend Kyle McCallan mopped up the tail with the final three wickets.

Things got even better for Waringstown with the news coming through that North Down had lost to Instonians which meant that Waringstown were also crowned League Champions.

A truly memorable day for Nelson and his Crew.

Barry Chambers: Lee, Waringstown Irish Senior Cup Champions. How does it feel?

Lee Nelson: It's hard to describe Barry. It's unbelievable, it's absolutely unbelievable. Just , you know I'm so happy for all the people about the place, the supporters and everything. I mean look at the ground today it's just a picture, it's unbelievable.

It's a mixture of relief and happiness and just everything combined.

Barry Chambers: No hesitation in batting when you won the toss?

Lee Nelson: None. when you've played here from you're a toddler boy, you know you get a score on the board and you bowl well, you'll be hard to beat. So that's what we went for.

Barry Chambers: And it was good getting a few runs yourself. That was a very important partnership yourself and Greg Thompson, and after Waringstown had lost three wickets?

Lee Nelson: Yeah we had to dig in like for your life. When you're three down in the first ten-twelve overs, you can't afford to lose another one, or you're really staring down the barrel.

So to be fair Greg, when he came in, he played so positively, that it almost fed through me then as well. So that's the way we've looked to be all year, we've looked to take it to people, and so much I thought that's where we went wrong last year. We were a bit too within ourselves and a bit timid at times. And that's what I tried to cut out.

Barry Chambers: And obviously when they were batting, 35 for 5 JP de Villiers showed just why Waringstown got him in?

Lee Nelson: Yes, there's been a lot said about him this week. But he is, he's a different class, and to have him in games like this, it only can be good for Irish Cricket. And the buzz that he gives to people around here, and the way he runs in, it's refreshing Barry.

It's almost a dying art in this country, somebody who can run and pelt it through like that. So yes, it would be nice to have him back for whenever we could get him. But I don't know if that would be possible.

Barry Chambers: And Merrion, 35 for 5, but they certainly gave Waringstown a bit of a fright, you couldn't relax. They bat very deep and they bat very strong?

Lee Nelson: That's the thing I said when I lifted the trophy there. It just sums them up really, because they came here four or five years ago in the semi-final and they were 16 for 4 and they got 250 and batted us out of the game.

I was thinking at one stage, they can't do it again? But that wicket to get `Lanky' out, we took a punt and we brought JP back on from the bottom end there, and he cleaned them up. And it paid off, the gamble paid off.

Barry Chambers: And a `Carlsberg Day', I believe Waringstown won the League Title as well, that was rubber stamped.

Lee Nelson: Yes, there's been a lot said about Waringstown's character, this that and the other, and a few people have written different things. But we always had the belief in our team, and we knew the talent that was in there. So one day it was going to click, and thankfully today it did.