Ollie Thorpe

Half centuries from Mark Adair (63) and Jason van der Merwe (50) inspired CIYMS to their third NCU Challenge Cup triumph in five years as they defeated Instonians by 98 runs in Comber.

Ireland international, Adair, hit four fours and four six sixes in his 55-ball knock as he helped the Belmont outfit set Instonians a target of 221 for victory.
He shared a sixth wicket partnership of 110 with Ryan Hunter (39) before lofting Ireland team-mate Shane Getkate to Ben Rose.

This partnership was off the back of van der Merwe's half-century which began the recovery after his side were 12-3 in only the fifth over.

A fine bowling display from Josh Manley dismantled the top-order and the South African went on to finish with figures of 4-42.

The Instonians reply began in a similar fashion to the first innings. Allen Coulter and Nigel Jones claimed early wickets to reduce the Shaw's Bridge side to 28-3.
However, a fourth wicket stand of 62 between Oliver Metcalfe (48) and Getkate (26) offered some sort of hope as they recovered to 90 for three. The latter then departed and Instonians lost their last seven wickets for 33 runs in the 14 overs that followed.

Jones was the pick of the bowlers for CIYMS, finishing with 4-31 off his 10 overs.

CIYMS now turn their attention to Sunday's Irish Senior Cup semi-final against defending champions Waringstown.

CIYMS 220 (O Pienaar 27, J van der Merwe 50, R Hunter 39, M Adair 63, J Manley 4-42, S Getkate 3-38)
Instonians 122 (O Metcalfe 48, S Getkate 26, N Jones 4-31, J Mulder 2-17, T Britton 2-9)
CIYMS beat Instonians by 98 runs
Man of the Match: Mark Adair

Gallagher Cup Final 2019 - Presentation Photos

Photo credit: Ian Johnston, Cricket Europe