Wins for Derriaghy, Carrickfergus, Cliftonville Academy, CSNI and CIYMS in the NCU Premier League.
Patrick Kruger's brutal assault on the Waringstown attack led Derriaghy to a famous win at The Lawn. The South African top-scored with 90 from just 55 balls (12 fours, 4 sixes) as the Queensway side racked up 289 - runs too for Sam Gordon (43), Matthew Halliday (38) and Curtis Moorhead - who hit five boundaries in a late flurry with a vital 30.
The hosts lost early wickets but rallied strongly with Greg Thompson looking as if he was going to deny the visitors for the second time in two days. Thompson raced to 69 in 40 balls (11 fours, 1 six) adding 92 with Jack Snell who also made 69. With 72 needed from 9 overs it was game on, but Thompson's dismissal sparked a collapse, with six wickets tumbling for 15 runs - for once their availability and injury issues couldn't be hidden as Derriaghy celebrated a deserved win in some style - three wickets apiece for the old firm of Craig Lewis, Wayne Hughes and Curtis Moorhead.
A 180 run opening partnership between Ludwig Kaestner and James Hall set Woodvale on their way to another big total this week. Another century for Kaestner, and James Hall falling within one hit of one also. It was 240 before the second wicket fell with CSNI pulling things back somewhat in the closing overs, with Harrison and Foster picking up wickets when the slog was on.
Ryan Harrison led the way as he blasted a century in the reply, his 101 containing 9x4s & 4x6s dominating a 72 run seventh wicket partnership with Adam Leckey whose contribution was 18. But it was the youthful pairing of James West and Finn Lutton, who added an unbeaten 43 for the tenth wicket that broke Woodvale hearts, as they crossed the line with a ball to spare. Thirty nine extras in that Woodvale bowling effort, including 29 wides is surely something that they should be taking a long hard look at?
Cliftonville Academy were without their captain Max Burton who picked up a hand injury last week and quickly found themselves two wickets down in the first two overs. Abhishek Raut and Jared Wilson to the rescue adding 198 for the fourth wicket.
That proved to be the difference in the two sides as left arm spinner Ben Kane knocked the heart out of the reply having Cade Carmichael stumped and bowling Shane Getkate next ball. Shane Dadswell was going well but when he became Kane's third victim two overs later Instonians had a mountain to climb.
Another century for Ani Chore and runs at the tail end of the innings from Peter Davison meant that North Down posted a challenging 253 at Belmont.
CIYMS might light of the chase winning inside 34 overs - Jason vd Merwe racing to a century off just 64 deliveries in his innings of 104 that contained 9x4s & 8x6s.
Lisburn may have been thinking they were on safe ground after posting 294 at Middle Road but an often asked question is - 'Just what is a safe score at Carrickfergus?'
Not 294 today as Michael Rippon and Carrick skipper CJ van der Walt added an unbeaten 137 for the fifth wicket to see the Cowboys home with seven balls to spare.