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Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Adam Dennison stars as knockout kings Waringstown secure yet another Challenge Cup crown
There wasn't much love lost between the two teams in an ill-tempered contest that threatened to boil over at times, but as Waringstown took complete control, the fight went out of Instonians like a deflated balloon. The Shaw's Bridge side opted to bat first but failed to post anywhere near what they would have hoped in a disappointing effort. Their best stand of the innings was the opening one of just 38 between Ireland international Cade Carmichael (24) and Rob McKinley, ended by Morgan Topping's low catch at second slip. Nikolai Smith and professional Shane Dadswell fell in successive balls, both to Daniel van der Merwe, and, although Neil Rock made a counter-attacking 26, 101 for three was as good as it got for 'Inst'. Ross Allen and skipper Greg Thompson got two wickets each as Waringstown took a grip of proceedings that they never relinquished despite a battling 71 from McKinley (eight fours, one six). There was no fairytale comeback for James Shannon, who made just four, in a final total of 189 with almost 10 overs unused. A fired-up Instonians knew that early wickets were key if they were to have any chance, but the opening partnership of Dennison and Sam Topping blunted their attack in a stand of 60. Robertson, the leading wicket-taker in the NCU, eventually got the breakthrough, but any hopes that this would lead to a collapse quickly evaporated. Dennison – with two Cup Finals centuries already to his name – had eyes on a third as he and James McCollum went about chasing down their modest target. Initially watchful, the pair accelerated as they settled to ensure the result was never in doubt, no matter what their opponents threw at them. The pair shared an unbroken second wicket stand of 130 in 152 balls to ease to victory in the 43rd over. Dennison didn't quite reach his century, having to settle for an unbeaten 90 (ten fours), while McCollum's 71 not out from 68 balls included seven fours and three maximums. 'It was a very enjoyable win,' said Waringstown captain Greg Thompson afterwards. 'I think we are very capable of performances like that. I thought our skills and mental discipline was top notch today and I think that was the difference. 'It was a used pitch so we weren't expecting it to be a 300 plays 250 or anything like that. At the halfway point we were confident we had enough batting to chase the runs. 'Denny (Adam Dennison) and Sam Topping showed great application to get us a 60-run start, and no better man than Prince (James McCollum) to kill any momentum they may have got from the wicket. 'I don't think Denny cared too much about not getting the hundred as he has two already. He just wanted to win as quickly as possible and have another winner's medal in his hand. 'He's certainly a big game player and he has proved that in his five Finals. We have other big game players too, Morgan Topping wasn't even needed today. We have talked a lot about our strength in depth but we've probably relied on that too much. What we did today was to make sure the set batters bat, and they certainly did that.' Waringstown have still an outside chance of a double but would need results elsewhere to go their way. Instonians too have much to play for, with an All-Ireland Semi-Final against Phoenix on Sunday as well as occupying pole position in the Premiership. However, their 13-year wait for a fourth Challenge Cup goes on, with the manner of their loss bound to hurt.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
James Shannon can give Instonians the edge in Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup Final, says Cian Robertson
James Shannon has been given a surprise recall to the Instonians starting line-up for their Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup Final against Waringstown at Stormont on Friday (11am). The 35-year-old former international hasn't featured in the senior side for over three years, but injuries and availability issues mean Shannon makes the starting XI for the Shaw's Bridge side after impressing in their Junior Cup run.
Belfast Telegraph
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Instonians ace admits relief blunder didn't prove costly as crucial victory puts his side in pole for Premier League title glory
Instonians returned to the scene of their T20 triumph on Sunday and put themselves in pole position to win the 2025 Premier League title. The Shaw's Bridge side beat defending Champions Waringstown – and their opponents in Friday's Challenge Cup Final at Stormont – to leave themselves two wins away from lifting the trophy for the second time in three years.
Belfast Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Graham Hume's return helps reignite Waringstown's League title challenge against Instonians
The Irish international has been suffering with an elbow injury but was back to his best, dismissing Neil Rock, Cade Carmichael and Andrew White in his first two overs to leave the Shaw's Bridge side reeling on 13 for three. Shane Dadswell cleared the ropes three times in an enterprising 35, but two wickets apiece for Daniel van der Merwe, James Cameron-Dow and Greg Thompson saw Instonians bundled out for just 81. Sam (41) and Morgan Topping (19) knocked off 59 of those in an opening partnership to all but seal the win, with Sam top-scoring with 41 (4 fours, 1 six). Muckamore's replacement professional Madhav Kaushik hit the ground running with a match-winning half century at North Down to give the Moylena side their first points of the campaign. The Indian cleared the ropes four times and hit four fours in a 25-ball 54 to help Muckamore to 151 for seven – runs too for Jamie Magowan (25) and Jason van der Merwe (20) – while Ally Shields claimed four wickets. In a tense chase, Ryan Haire's 31 gave the Comber side a shout, but his dismissal with 22 needed off two overs proved decisive as Muckamore won by 17 runs. Templepatrick are still searching for their first win of the season after they crashed to a 70-run loss at CSNI. Marc Ellison hit six fours and two sixes in a top-score of 58 from 52 balls as the Stormont side made 156 for five, with 26 apiece for Sean Davey and Adam Leckey. Charlie Swart top-scored with 41 (five fours, one six), but received little support as they were bowled out for 86. Teenagers Harry Dyer (4-7), Finn Lutton (3-17), and Seb Yeates (2-5) doing the damage. Meanwhile, in the NW T20 Cup, the four group winners who will play in the Faughan Valley Cup Semi-Finals have been decided. Newbuildings captain Ross Hunter took five wickets, including a hat-trick as his side beat Bready, while Donemana finished unbeaten after a 20-run win over Killyclooney that saw the McClintock twins each hitting five sixes and Anuj Jotin taking four wickets. Andy Millar's half century ensured Eglinton progressed, while holders Brigade got the 11 runs they needed from the final over – boundaries for Josh Wilson and James Smallwoods breaking Coleraine hearts in a thrilling two-wicket win off the penultimate ball.
