Waringstown won the Challenge Cup for the 27^th time against a Carrickfergus team who responded superbly, in their first showpiece final on a record-breaking day.

Waringstown, winners for the 27th time. ©CricketEurope

More than 670 runs were scored on the final’s return to Stormont, with Morgan Topping hitting the highest individual score in a limited overs final and with Adam Dennison he put on the greatest ever partnership since the first final in 1887.

Their huge third wicket stand of 247 laid the foundation for a record limited overs total of 354 for four, easily surpassing the previous best, 303 for five, also by Waringstown in 2006, the last two-day final.

But while Carrick skipper CJ van der Walt was in the middle, the Villagers were, unbelievably, not out of sight. Only when he holed out to short fine leg, three short of a deserved century, did the favourites breathe easily.

With perfect timing, Waringstown welcomed back James Mitchell from injury, the week after James McCollum’s long-awaited return and, indeed, the watching Lee Nelson was the only player missing from their strongest line-up – and he is making his comeback from a dislocated shoulder in the Seconds on Sunday.

Not that either of the returning duo were required to be at their best yesterday as Topping, in his breakthrough season, became only the second batter to hit 150 in the cup final – the other was North Down’s James McDonald 88 years ago.

Topping (24) faced 119 balls and hit 15 fours and seven sixes in a chanceless knock only ended as he attempted to hit a fourth successive six off Carrick skipper CJ van der Walt.

Dennison was dismissed the ball after hitting his first six, to go with 13 fours in his innings of 109 as he became only the second batter to score two centuries in the final, after former Waringstown opener Michael Reith.

Adam Dennison and Morgan Topping whose partnership was worth 247. ©CricketEurope

Carrickfergus, endured a horror start to their reply. Craig Averill was run out first ball and Michael Gilmour received a harsh ‘caught out’ decision with the ball coming off his shoulder to leave them 24 for two in the fifth over.

Jake Egan stood tall while wickets fell around him to score 87 from 66 balls (six fours and seven sixes) but at 129 for six, Carrick seemed down and out until van der Walt, who hit nine fours and six sixes, and Ben Cave added 142, a cup final record for the seventh wicket.

Ben Snell, one of the young guns who have come through this year, ended van der Walt’s innings and next over dismissed Cave the ball after bringing up his 50 with the latest huge six of the match.

There were 29 in all – another record on a memorable day.