Instonians moved a step closer to the Premier League title with an 8 wickets DLS win over CIYMS at Belmont.

The home side were kept to 145 for 8 in their 20 overs - 44 of which came from the last three overs, courtesy of Allen Coulter's 18-ball 34 that included four sixes.

A heavy shower meant an 11 over target of 92, which proved little trouble for the visitors.

Cade Carmichael had taken three wickets, and he was the match winner with the bat, making 56 not out from 27 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes).

Shane Getkate's 21 from 7 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) also ensured the result was never in doubt.

Instonians play Waringstown at The Lawn on Saturday, followed by a home clash with CSNI - one win may be enough to lift the crown.

Cliftonville Academy got the worst possible start to their innings losing Francis Collins and Jared Wilson in Ruhan Pretorius’ opening over and with Max Burton falling for only 8 the visitors found themselves 12 for the loss of 3 wickets.

An unbroken partnership of 102 between Abhishek Raut (77* off 54 with 4x4, 6x6) and Varun Chopra (22*) was ended by rain which curtailed the innings to 18 overs.

Set a target of 56 of 7 overs it was Pretorius who led the way with 33 off just 14 deliveries (1x4, 4x6).

Raut’s single over went for 20 runs, Pretorius hitting 3 consecutive sixes before offering a return catch off the next.

His opening partner Ludwig Kaestner batted through the shortened chase and finished the game inside 5 overs with his fourth boundary.

A precious four points for Woodvale in the first of a three match weekend.