For the first time in two years, CIYMS have lost a cup match. The team that won all four knock-out trophies available last season were knocked out of the Challenge Cup yesterday by Carrickfergus. It was their first defeat in the competition since 2018.

But the holders almost pulled off a remarkable recovery because, set 169 to win, they lost their ninth wicket on 127, but Adam Kennedy and professional Ed Nuttall, with the over-rate not a problem, got them closer and closer.

They were within seven runs of Carrick’s total when the New Zealander gave a return catch to Ashwin Shetty, who held it one-handed and then went off on a victory lap of honour, chased by his jubilant team-mates.

Playing a huge part in the home victory was Jacques Snyman who had been registered by the Middle Road club at the start of the season as cover for Michael Rippon who was due to miss the first week.

In the end, that match was postponed but with Rippon at a T20 competition in the United States this weekend, Snyman, who is playing his cricket this season in the Lancashire League was free to play today. How fortuitous that proved to be.

He was second top scorer with the bat on 32 and then took three wickets including the in-form Jason van der Merwe for 19.

Shetty, though, was the final wicket hero and, just as crucially had earlier dismissed Ireland international Ross Adair, who had crashed 40 off 23 balls in typical style (four fours and three sixes) and then CI skipper John Matchett for a duck.

The other two quarter-finals played yesterday were much more one-sided with Waringstown ending Section One interest in the competition with a 112 runs victory over Muckamore at The Lawn.

The Villagers, the previous team to beat CIYMS, still posted 271 for nine mainly due to a fifth wicket stand of 145 between Greg Thompson (14 fours and three sixes) and Pat Botha (four fours five sixes). Both were out in the 90s, the captain to only his 62nd delivery.

It was Muckamore’s first defeat of the season in their 15th game although professional Ben Calitz with a run-a-ball 68 ensured more than respectability.

Matthew Foster blew the Derriaghy top order away at Stormont as the visitors were reduced to 33 for five. They could add only another 90 and Civil Service North knocked off the runs inside 19 overs for the loss of one wicket.

The Instonians-Lisburn game, postponed because of overnight rain, will be played on Sunday July 9.