James McCollum and Morgan Topping inspire dominant Northern Knights success against Leinster Lightning
Chasing 154, Cade Carmichael hit a breezy 29 to get the NCU side off to a fast start before they were rocked by two wickets in an over from Matt Hollard.
That was to be the end of the success for Leinster, as the Waringstown duo pummelled an understrength attack to all parts in a match-winning stand.
McCollum top-scored with an unbeaten 65 from 36 balls (five fours, four sixes) while Topping cleared the ropes six times in a belligerent 58 not out that came from only 24 deliveries.
The pair brought up their century stand in eight overs, and in all added 117 in just 52 balls to complete the demolition job.
Cian Robertson was the pick of the Knights attack who did well to restrict Leinster to 153 for seven, with the left-arm Instonians spinner taking two wickets.
Abidullah Taniwal hit a quick-fire 40 but it was too little, too late in a one-sided contest. Andre Botha's side will be glad of the return of their six Irish internationals for the rest of the Festival.
It was a good day for the Ulster sides, as earlier the Warriors opened their account with a 29-run win against hosts Munster.
Former Sussex player Sam Topping was the batting hero for the North West side, clearing the ropes four times in an entertaining top score of 67, sharing half-century stands with Andrew Balbirnie (26) and Jake Egan.
Egan made an impressive 47 (two fours, three sixes), adding a further 55 for the third wicket with Scott Macbeth (34) as they looked set to post in excess of 200.
However, the tail failed to wag as they lost five wickets in quick succession to finish on 191 for seven — three wickets apiece for John McNally and Josh Manley.
The hosts' chase started poorly, with the Warriors taking some excellent catches in a superb fielding effort that reduced Munster to 101 for seven.
It seemed the contest was all but over, but McNally had other ideas as he thumped three fours and four sixes in a 39-ball 64, adding 57 in just four overs with Bakhtyar Nabi (28).
That left 34 needed from the last two overs, but McNally's dismissal was quickly followed by the run out of Nabi, giving the beleaguered Warriors their first win of the season.
Meanwhile, the postponed Ulster Schools' Cup Final will be played on Wednesday at Pirrie Park (3pm).
The decider features two sides with contrasting fortunes over the years in the blue riband format that was first played back in 1974.
Holders RBAI are vying for a record-extending 14th triumph while at the other end of the spectrum, opponents Sullivan Upper are searching for a first victory.
Sullivan's solitary appearance came back in 2010, when current Irish international Ross Adair scored a half century in a loss to Foyle and Londonderry College.
Inst will be favourites with their line-up boasting five NCU Premiership players including skipper Adam Leckey. The CSNI and Ireland Under-19 all-rounder has been in prolific form in the competition, taking a hat-trick and scoring a century en route to the decider. It will be Leckey's fourth appearance in the Final, another record.
Sullivan will need to be at their best and hope that the magic of the Cup goes in their favour against the powerful force that is RBAI.
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He looks an absolute machine' – Templegate's confident 6-1 NAP on day two of Royal Ascot
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Royal Ascot tips: 'He looks an absolute machine' – Templegate's confident 6-1 NAP on day two of Royal Ascot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE takes on a sizzling day two at Royal Ascot confident of smashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up ROYAL ASCOT - Best betting offers and new sign-up deals CARMERS (3.05, nap) Twomey or not Twomey — that is the question on Day Two of Royal Ascot. Top Irish trainer Paddy Twomey has a huge chance in the Queen's Vase. This son of Wootton Bassett has looked like a machine on his two runs so far. After a bloodless maiden win at Ballinrobe, he stepped up to 1m5f for a smooth Listed success at Navan. He travelled sweetly off the pace before picking up strongly to win going away. This greater test of stamina again will be ideal and there's a lot more to come under experienced jockey Billy Lee. ANMAAT (4.20, nb) Can turn the tables on Los Angeles in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. They had a right ding-dong at The Curragh last time but this track suits Jim Crowley's mount better and he can strike. QIRAT (5.00, treble) Will enjoy stepping up to a mile for the Royal Hunt Cup. He needed his comeback when beaten on the nod in the Victoria Cup here. Templegate's verdicts 2.30 TRUE LOVE can have a fairytale ending in the Queen Mary. The Aidan O'Brien runner has copped what should be a nice high draw and she's been second in a couple of hot maidens in Ireland. She can take the extra step needed here. All the money has come for Zelaina, Karl Burke's £650,000 Mehmas flyer, who looked something out of the ordinary when destroying her rivals at Nottingham on debut. She made all with ease and clocked a good speed figure. Burke used the same stepping stone for Leovanni last year and she's the danger at skinny odds. American raider Lennilu has blitzed her rivals on both starts so far and should love the fast ground. She'll blast off and take plenty of catching. Queen Mary Stakes trends The draw has played a big part in this sprint with only one winner coming from a single-figure stall in the past 12 runnings. You need at least one win on your CV too. So Shine On Me, Paris Carver, Cardiff By The Sea, Justice Twice and True Love are the next to go. More than one defeat is also a negative for Guernsey Lady. Harry's Girl, Eternal Solace and Social Exclusion didn't win last time out while Viamarie has been off too long. Miss Yechance and America are too big a price to be winning on the stats. Seven of the past eight favourites have lost so Zelania fans have a worry. So the final three are Lennilu, Secret Hideaway and Society Kiss. Spicy Marg could be the pick of the home team after she zoomed away from her rivals at Newmarket last time. Secret Hideaway had a few of these behind when taking a York Listed prize in good style and can prove that was no fluke. Society Kiss showed her liking for the track when winning on debut and Ralph Beckett's fillies often take a big step forward from their first outing. Revival Power is the sister of Nunthorpe winner Winter Power and is another with plenty of scope after an impressive debut win at Thirsk. Staya is another with place claims after her Yarmouth win. 3.05 CARMERS looked a class act when following up a maiden win at Ballinrobe with a commanding three-length Listed success at Navan last time. That performance was visually striking and backed up by the clock too. He's already proven his stamina for this sort of test and has a lot more to come for in-form trainer Paddy Twomey. Aidan O'Brien has a strong hand as usual. Queen's Vase trends We can cut the Queen's Vase field down very quickly as the first three in the betting have a fantastic recent record. Only shock 2016 winner Sword Fighter at 33-1 has broken the dominance of the market principals in almost two decades. So wait for the opening show but this looks to be between Shackleton, Carmers and Scandinavia barring any significant market moves. Of those Scandinavia is a bit too low in the official ratings and Shackleton was only fourth last time out which has been a no-no in 22 of the past 23 years. So that leaves way for CARMERS to strike. Shackleton is the apparent first string under Ryan Moore. He shaped better than the result in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh when denied a clear run and should relish this longer trip. Stablemate Scandinavia was a wide-margin Navan maiden winner on reappearance and brings untapped potential under Derby hero Wayne Lordan. Devil's Advocate steps up from a solid Dante fourth but that York effort came in ideal conditions and he now faces a stamina test. Rahiebb is on the upgrade and ran a cracker when second in a hot York handicap. He could be the value option at a decent price ahead of Chester Vase fourth Pinhole. 3.40 CINDERELLA'S DREAM blossomed with a dazzling return in the Dahlia at Newmarket last time. She was a class apart at Newmarket, surging clear of 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka and clocking a big speed figure in the process. Already a Grade 1 winner in America, she is right at home on fast ground and will take plenty of stopping. Fallen Angel is the danger as she below Group 1 company for the first time since 2023. The Irish 1,000 Guineas winner was a touch flat in the Lockinge but needed the run after seven months off. Ryan Moore on his Tuesday rides The world's top jockey gives us the lowdown in association with World Pool... THE sun is out and Love is in the air on Day Two. My afternoon kicks off with TRUE LOVE (2.30) in the five-furlong Queen Mary. She has finished second on both starts so far but she is by No Nay Never and is a big, strong filly who will be suited by a strong pace over this trip. SHACKLETON (3.05) needed the run over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh last time and it was a messy race. He will take a step forward for that. You must stay the trip round here and my horse will. Some people out there still doubt LOS ANGELES (4.20) but that doesn't bother me. He's rock solid and I wouldn't swap him for stiff mile and a quarter at Ascot will suit him well. Anmaat won the Champions Stakes in October and ran well when we fended him off at the Curragh last month. He's an obvious threat. See The Fire has been supplemented at a fair cost and was impressive at York. She is a lovely filly but maybe she is better suited to the Knavesmire rather than here. Map Of Stars was a little unlucky when second in the Prix Ganay and Ombudsman is a talented horse who I've ridden a couple of times. He might not want the ground as quick as it will be today. I'm on THE LIFFEY (5.00) in the Royal Hunt Cup, who has been very well backed. He finished fourth on his first start for Joseph O'Brien in a Listed race at Navan. That form has been franked, as the winner has gone on to win a decent race in France. There's plenty to like about The Liffey, but it's very competitive and lots of yards will think they have a well-handicapped horse. I close with KANSAS (6.10) arrives here off the back of an okay run at Navan. He's consistent but will need to find a bit more improvement to be in the mix. She made all when landing the Curragh classic last year and has the pace to get handy again. There's no obvious reason why Emalka will turn the HQ form around with the tip and a bigger threat could be last year's winner Running Lion. She has cheekpieces on for the first time and looked much more like her old self when second at Haydock last time. We know she likes this trip and track on fast ground and she could hit the frame. One Look ran a decent race in this grade at The Curragh last time but needs more in this company. 4.20 ANMAAT can turn around last month's Tattersalls Gold Cup form with Los Angeles who got the run of the race at The Curragh. I don't often consider wind direction as part of the form but there was a very strong tailwind in Kildare that day and it was a huge help to prominent runners like Los Angeles who were literally blown to victory while hold-up horses struggled to land a blow. I would say Anmaat ran a massive race to come from a fair way back to actually head his rival at one stage before just getting chinned half a length. Last year's Champion Stakes hero has more than proven himself at this level and he boasts a fine overall Ascot record. Jim Crowley will hopefully sit just off the pace and come through with a late rattle as he did here in October. Los Angeles is likely to run another mighty race too. Prince Of Wales's Stakes trends Since this race was brought back to the meeting in 1968, no horse older than six has ever wonn and six-year-olds struggle too. So Anmaat, Certain Lad, Facteur Cheval and Royal Champion are gone. You also really need to be north of 119 in the official ratings. That can't be said of Map Of Stars, Ombudsman or Continuous. So very quickly the killee trends have reduced the Group 1 field down to just a pair of contenders in Los Angeles and See The Fire. Connections of the latter forked out a whopping £70,000 to run here so think they'll get their money back. But Aidan O'Brien has won this three times since 2017 which surely tips the scales in favour of his LOS ANGELES who also has a Group 1 win on his CV which has been a pointer to success in this contest. He stays this trip strongly, acts on any ground and Ryan Moore should have near the front and ready to kick on around the home bend. Ombudsman lost his unbeaten record when second in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown but he was entitled to need that comeback and should be a lot fitter for it. He impressed when winning four straight last season, including at Longchamp. A strongly-run race over this trip should bring out his best and he'll be hard to keep out of the frame. Map Of Stars looked unlucky in the Prix Ganay when denied a clear run before flying late to go down by a neck. He's got a couple of Group contest on his CV with quick ground being the only worry as he's a winner on heavy. Connections paid a fortune to supplement See The Fire after her sensational Middleton Stakes win at York last time. She put that Group 2 to bed by 12 lengths and gets valuable weight from the fellas. There's more improvement to come on this sharp hike in class. Facteur Cheval wasn't disgraced when trying to retain his Grade 1 Dubai Turf title last time and he was a good second in the QEII Stakes here in October. He's another who probably doesn't want the ground rattling fast. 5.00 QIRAT has a fantastic record up this straight track in a big field. He ran a cracker in last year's Britannia Stakes before going close at the October meeting. He made his seasonal comeback in the red-hot Victoria Cup here in May and went down in a head-bobber. His family normally improve as four-year-olds and this longer trip will be ideal. Royal Hunt Cup trends Despite all the draw talk in the Hunt Cup, we've had winners right across the track in recent seasons. It's stall 11-4-15-7-20 for the past five winners. Stick between 9st and 9st5lb for your fancy and you need to have won at least three times on the level. You have to be 96 or higher on official ratings. Look for horses that have a recent win and have run no more than three times this season. Horses older than five tend to struggle. That leaves us with 30 runners cut down to just Bullet Point, Silawi, Urban Lion and Fox Legacy who range from 10-1 to 28-1 so you could back all four. Well-backed My Cloud looks a danger along with The Liffey under Ryan Moore. Arabian Light and Bullet Point look big each-way prices. Royal Hunt Cup runner-by-runner guide I run through every runner in the handicap cracker, rating them out of five stars. One is the worst - five the best. ARABIAN LIGHT 4 LIGHT fantastic. Strong Newmarket third after good runs in Dubai. Improver who stays. Well drawn and solid each-way. HI ROYAL 2 HI low. Gr1-placed last year and second in good race latest. Stays but high in weights. WAHDAN 1 DESPERATE Dan. Fancy French form as a youngster but been poor for a while. Big weight. JEFF KOONS 2 UNBELIEVABLE Jeff. Well held in Goodwood Listed last time. Best over further, needs more to figure in this company. QIRAT 5 RAT fan. Likes it here and just pipped in the Victoria Cup over 7f last time. Will stay, handles any ground and on fair mark. Huge player under Colin Keane. ANCIENT ROME 2 ROME alone. Group placed at best but not firing this season. Needs a revival. SOLDIER'S EMPIRE 1 EMPIRE falling. Bits of form in Dubai but best over further. Up against it. EPICTETUS 2 NEEDS an Epic. 2023 Group winner, fair comeback after a year off at Newbury. Place hope but still high in weights. GALERON 3 RON the money. Lincoln fifth on return but modest latest. Trip suits and while he's unreliable but could nick a place if bringing his best form. SEAN 2 SEAN bean. Three poor UK runs after fair efforts in Dubai. Weight looks too big. BLUE BROTHER 1 TOO Blue. French raider ran OK in Saudi latest over further but 13lb above last win. TONY MONTANA 3 TONY Tiger. Narrow seconds at York and Goodwood this season over 1m2f. Drop in trip could help along with blinkers. Solid each-way. LA TRINIDAD 3 LA law. Ran well last two over this trip and handicap mark looks fair and enjoys a strong pace. Could place at long odds. THE LIFFEY 4 DEEP Liffey. Unexposed and solid Listed run last time at Naas. Should relish the step up to a mile and has more to come with Moore up. Player. POPMASTER 3 POP has bottle. Good fourth in Victoria Cup here over 7f from a poor position and track suits. On a long losing run but not out of place battle. EBT'S GUARD 2 ON Guard. Solid Epsom run last time and likes this trip. 5lb above last win so needs more. MAGNUM OPUS 2 BAG Mag. Good fourth in Lincoln latest so trip and big field suit. Needs another step forward. TALIS EVOLVERE 2 TALL Tal. Only 2lb above last win but best on the sand and Windsor run was modest. Needs a lot more to figure. BULLET POINT 4 ON Point. Won very nicely on comeback at HQ. Unexposed at 1m and ground suits. Leading chance from rails draw. SILAWI 2 HERE Wi go. Made all at Windsor in a small field last time but faces a far tougher task here. URBAN LION 3 LION roars. Has 5lb penalty for last week's stylish Sandown win. Trip suits and could nick a place upped in class with more improvement to come. BOPEDRO 2 NO Bo. Veteran on long losing run. Trip fine and weight's fair but asking a lot to win. FOX LEGACY 4 FANTASTIC Fox. Bolted up at Newmarket on stable debut and shorter trip should be fine. 6lb rise gives him a chance under Oisin Murphy. WHITCOMBE ROCKSTAR 2 ROCK off. Six-time 2024 winner over this trip but at lower level. Best on sand and up weights. GREEK ORDER 3 GREEK to me. Interesting on UK return after fair spell in US. Nice draw and well backed. TOIMY SON 3 SON up. Has run well in big fields but not this year. Trip and track suit and could nick a place. MY CLOUD 4 CLOUD may reign. Unbeaten this season and impressed here in April when winning easily. Trip ideal on firm and has more to come. Short odds but big chance from good draw. SISYPHEAN 3 HE's no Sisy. Close second in hot York handicap over this trip on return. Unexposed. Player if repeating that from fair 2lb higher in the weights. TOKENOMICS 3 LOVE Token. Won well over 7f at Cork last time and likes to come off a strong pace. Each-way say with longer trip no issue. WHIP CRACKER 2 WHIP out. Patchy form at lower levels. Went well at Sandown but this is much tougher. 5.35 AROLLA can rock his rivals to give trainer Harry Charlton a first Royal Ascot win in his own name. This improving daughter of Kingman made a cracking return when second to the smart Jabaara in a Musselburgh Listed race earlier this month and now drops into handicap company off a perfectly fair mark of 100. My fancy stayed on eye-catchingly from off the pace. With the strong gallop expected to suit her hold-up style, she can pounce late under top Irish jockey Colin Keane. There's every chance of a Royal winner thanks to Rainbows Edge who could well be the proverbial Group horse lurking in a handicap. He has earned top weight after an impressive victory over course and distance last time. That was just his fourth run so there should be a lot more to come from William Buick's mount. He got the better of Arisaig but there was less than a length between them so Charlie Johnston's hope isn't out of this and is slightly better off at the weights. Kayhana is a strong traveller for Gavin Cromwell and she returned to form with a close second at Gowran last time. She'll need luck from stall seven but should come home strongly. Rockymountainway is on the upgrade and shaped as though the step back up to a mile will suit when a strong second at Kempton. At huge odds, Thelma's Angel caught the eye when sixth in a Musselburgh listed contest and could outrun her price now dropping back into a handicap. 6.10 OLD IS GOLD can shine under James Doyle. He was a good third on debut here before winning nicely at Beverley last time. Wathnan shelled out £200,000 to buy him after that and he can repay a big chunk of that here. Rogue Legend looks dangerous after back-to-back wins in Ireland and he's another to have changed hands for big money since. There was plenty of juice in the ground at Tipperary last time which he won't get here though. Kansas went down fighting at Navan last time but has had three goes to get off the mark. Rogue Supremacy lagged in on debut at Wetherby and is proven on quick ground. He could be anything for David O'Meara. Tough Critic flew home to win in America last time and is another for the shortlist on ideal ground. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. 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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool star puts his foot down with fresh transfer message: "It's up to me!"
Liverpool have already signed Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer but the Reds also have decisions to make when it comes to keeping hold of senior stars Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has indicated he will be the one to decide whether his future lies at Anfield, while reinforcing his plans to stay... for now. The Japan international struggled for Premier League minutes under Arne Slot last season and has been the subject of interest from Germany. The Japanese international, 32, joined Liverpool in Jurgen Klopp's final summer transfer window. He featured less regularly under Klopp's successor Arne Slot, though, playing just 260 Premier League minutes in the 2024-25 season 'I told you I'm staying!' Endo said at a Q&A event in Kanagawa, Japan, as quoted by Soccer Digest and translated by the Echo. 'If the club tells me to leave… No, I'm staying. I have a contract. It's up to me to make the final decision. Basically, I'm staying, for now. He also considered the season a success despite his lack of action, 'Looking back, I think it was a good season," he added. "I didn't have many opportunities to play at Liverpool. But in the end, we won the Premier League and qualified for the World Cup with the national team, so it was a great season that will lead to next season.' Back in January, Endo gave a pragmatic response to questions about his spell on the fringes of the team. "I don't get frustrated or anything like that, I always try to get ready to help the team,' he said after playing in an FA Cup win against Accrington Stanley. 'Of course I want to play every game but we need everyone in the squad. The thing I can do is prepare for every game. 'I think we played well, the players who don't play constantly have played very well so that is the most important thing for the team to achieve something. We need everybody so we need to get ready for every game that's coming.' Endo still has two years left on his Liverpool deal after joining from Stuttgart in 2023. A return to Germany has been touted, but he appears happy to stay and contribute where he can. The midfielder will be joined by a number of new team-mates next season. Jeremie Frimpong has already completed a permanent move from Bayer Leverkusen, while Florian Wirtz is on the verge of completing a Premier League record move from the same team. Liverpool have also added Giorgi Mamardashvili to their ranks this summer after the former Valencia goalkeeper agreed a move last year. His arrival has brought about the end of Caoimhin Kelleher's time at Anfield, with the Irish international moving to Brentford. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Belfast Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
James McCollum and Morgan Topping inspire dominant Northern Knights success against Leinster Lightning
Chasing 154, Cade Carmichael hit a breezy 29 to get the NCU side off to a fast start before they were rocked by two wickets in an over from Matt Hollard. That was to be the end of the success for Leinster, as the Waringstown duo pummelled an understrength attack to all parts in a match-winning stand. McCollum top-scored with an unbeaten 65 from 36 balls (five fours, four sixes) while Topping cleared the ropes six times in a belligerent 58 not out that came from only 24 deliveries. The pair brought up their century stand in eight overs, and in all added 117 in just 52 balls to complete the demolition job. Cian Robertson was the pick of the Knights attack who did well to restrict Leinster to 153 for seven, with the left-arm Instonians spinner taking two wickets. Abidullah Taniwal hit a quick-fire 40 but it was too little, too late in a one-sided contest. Andre Botha's side will be glad of the return of their six Irish internationals for the rest of the Festival. It was a good day for the Ulster sides, as earlier the Warriors opened their account with a 29-run win against hosts Munster. Former Sussex player Sam Topping was the batting hero for the North West side, clearing the ropes four times in an entertaining top score of 67, sharing half-century stands with Andrew Balbirnie (26) and Jake Egan. Egan made an impressive 47 (two fours, three sixes), adding a further 55 for the third wicket with Scott Macbeth (34) as they looked set to post in excess of 200. However, the tail failed to wag as they lost five wickets in quick succession to finish on 191 for seven — three wickets apiece for John McNally and Josh Manley. The hosts' chase started poorly, with the Warriors taking some excellent catches in a superb fielding effort that reduced Munster to 101 for seven. It seemed the contest was all but over, but McNally had other ideas as he thumped three fours and four sixes in a 39-ball 64, adding 57 in just four overs with Bakhtyar Nabi (28). That left 34 needed from the last two overs, but McNally's dismissal was quickly followed by the run out of Nabi, giving the beleaguered Warriors their first win of the season. Meanwhile, the postponed Ulster Schools' Cup Final will be played on Wednesday at Pirrie Park (3pm). The decider features two sides with contrasting fortunes over the years in the blue riband format that was first played back in 1974. Holders RBAI are vying for a record-extending 14th triumph while at the other end of the spectrum, opponents Sullivan Upper are searching for a first victory. Sullivan's solitary appearance came back in 2010, when current Irish international Ross Adair scored a half century in a loss to Foyle and Londonderry College. Inst will be favourites with their line-up boasting five NCU Premiership players including skipper Adam Leckey. The CSNI and Ireland Under-19 all-rounder has been in prolific form in the competition, taking a hat-trick and scoring a century en route to the decider. It will be Leckey's fourth appearance in the Final, another record. Sullivan will need to be at their best and hope that the magic of the Cup goes in their favour against the powerful force that is RBAI.
