Richard White (NCU PRO)

An outstanding weekend for NCU cricket in the Irish Cup First Round as 5 of the 6 teams playing progressed to the second round to join Waringstown and Instonians (who received first round byes).

Irish Senior Cup First Round
The NCU will be represented by seven of the eight Premier League sides in the second round of the Irish Senior Cup. Only Armagh failed to progress on a day of success for the Northern Cricket Union. Muckamore had a stunning one wicket victory over Malahide with Craig Drummond scoring 108 not out.

There were convincing victories for Carrickfergus (Jack Burton 87, Daniel Poulton 65 and Ryan Eagleson 5 wickets) and CIYMS (Chris Dougherty 122 and Nigel Jones 4 wickets) by over 100 runs, and CSNI were 73 runs too strong for North West side Bready, thanks to 131 runs from Mark Ellison.

North Down surpassed Fox Lodge's total of 165 with Alistair Shields contributing 80 runs.

Saturday Results (featuring NCU Clubs)
Balbriggan beat Armagh by 9 wickets
CSNI beat Bready by 73 runs
Carrickfergus beat Coleraine by 119 runs
CIYMS beat North County by 117 runs
to North Down beat Fox Lodge 5 wickets
Muckamore beat Malahide by 1 run

Irish National Cup First Round
In a mixed day for NCU clubs Templepatrick overcame last year's beaten finalists Terenure by 5 wickets, and Lisburn registered the same winning margin at Bonds Glen. Johnny Moore scored an unbeaten 110 as Cregagh defeated Newbuildings, and in the highest team total of the round Paddy Beverland and Nathan Burns produced unbeaten centuries as Holywood amassed 315 for the loss of only two wickets against Sion Mills.

Saturday Results (featuring NCU Clubs)
Cregagh beat Newbuildings by 7 wickets
DLR County beat Laurelvale by 18 runs
Drummond beat Derriaghy by 123 runs
Holywood beat Sion Mills by 245 runs
Lisburn beat Bonds Glen by 5 wickets
Rush beat Cliftonville Academy by 8 wickets
Templepatrick beat Terenure by 5 wickets