Saturday's decider at Wallace Park has a very familiar look to it and hardly surprising as it is a repeat of last year's exciting encounter at the same venue between Academy and Waringstown II. The former were successful in a close encounter and are bidding to make it 3 wins in a row, a feat last accomplished in the early 1970s by Downpatrick II. Since the Old Boys also won the coveted trophy in 2005 their dominance is probably supreme in the history of the competition which began way back in 1891 when Lavinia CC was the first winners.

Happily the Belfast accountancy firm of Goldblatt McGuigan are again the generous sponsors of the Cup and the NCU must be very grateful for the continued support of the company's principal Sam Goldblatt who no doubt will be viewing proceedings in the excellent company of his old friend and Lisburn president Cecil Walker.

The holders have had a tough passage to the final starting off with a tricky visit to Larne where a fine innings of 84 from veteran Davy Greenlees laid the foundation for a 26 run victory. In Round 2 Greenlees again led the way in a chase of 164 against Ballymena II at Eaton Park but the last wicket pair were at the crease when victory was achieved. Another difficult hurdle was overcome in Round 3 when Millpark's picturesque ground at Banford Green was the venue and the hat trick dream was kept on course with a 53 run win with skipper Mark Shields in the van with a superb 106. A home tie at last in the semi final where Cooke Collegians were the opposition and went down by 36 runs with another veteran Brian Kelso top scoring with 32.

Waringstown II began their challenge at the Lawn in early May when Lisburn II were easily beaten by 175 runs with openers Steven Allen and Ian Morrison both hitting centuries in a massive total of 318/7. Round 2's opponents Drumaness were also summarily dismissed by 7 wickets with the talented Morrison again to the fore with 88. Sterner tests lay ahead and in Round 3 Woodvale II put up a gallant fight at the Lawn before succumbing by 3 wickets and Morrison again top scoring with 50.In the semi final Dunmurry gave Geoffrey Heyburn's side a real scare when their modest total of 103 was only passed with the last pair of Alan Harrison and Johnny Nation at the crease - a close call indeed!!

Who will win??

This is a classic encounter between two sides who although they play in different NCU leagues know each other extremely well - indeed on the four occasions on which Academy have won the Cup since 2005 they have defeated Saturday's rivals in the course of the competition each time. The Old Boys are a very experienced unit with battled hardened veterans such as Greenlees and Kelso in the side and even their 26 year old skipper Shields already has 4 winners medals in the bag. Ranged against them are a largely youthful Waringstown II side which will have learned from last years experience and who of course have the know-how of skipper Heyburn and well travelled club stalwart Alan Waite to count on in tight situations.
A selection at this stage is very difficult but I narrowly favour Academy mainly because of the huge incentive of completing the treble and making NCU history.

Academy

M Shields (capt), M.Harte, P Whitten, D Greenlees, B Kelso, J Wix, R Wilson, G Sinnathamay, J Irons, D Moore, B Boyd
12th man   D. Ryles

Waringstown II

GHeyburn (capt), S Allen, I Morrison, K Allen, D Dawson, A Waite, C Crasbourn, M Allen, J Stokes, J Nation, A Harrison, 

12th man   P. Currie