Johnny Morton

It was another action-packed weekend in the Robinson Services Premier League with Waringstown, CSNI, Woodvale and North Down all picking up wins.

In Section One, Derriaghy's unbeaten streak ended at 12 as they lost out by 52 runs to Donacloney Mill while Cregagh kept their promotion hopes alive with a convincing eight-wicket triumph over Armagh.

There were also standout performances in Section Two and Three, and going forward we will be taking a closer look at those who produce in a big way for their teams across the weekend.

Here is the first round of Robinson Services 'Stars of the Weekend'.

Premier League

Ross Adair 143*, Ben Adair 6-28 (CSNI) vs CIYMS

Adair has had a magnificent season to date at the top of CSNI's order and he recorded a second century of the campaign by scoring 143* against the defending champions. Batting first, CSNI hit 242-5 in a rain-reduced 46 over game at Belmont with Adair finishing the innings unbeaten having struck 12 fours and seven sixes. It's testament to the quality of the innings that his strike-rate of 112.60 was the only one over 100 (that faced more than one ball!) in the whole game.

CSNI went on to win by 51 runs after Ben Adair picked up remarkable figures of 6-28, reducing CIYMS to 206 all out. Adair struck early by bowling John Matchett before collecting the wicket of James Cameron-Dow and then took all momentum away from their opponents by picking up another 4 within 13 runs to finish off the game.

CIYMS captain Nigel Jones deserves an honourable mention after scoring 84 in a losing effort.

Carl Robinson 6-30 (North Down) vs Carrickfergus

Carrickfergus fell to 152 all out inside 33.4 overs at The Green on Saturday and the main cause of damage was Robinson's spin. He picked up the vital wicket of overseas professional Jacques Snyman – who was sitting on 54 from 39 balls and threatening to produce yet another masterclass – before collecting five of the final six wickets of the innings.

Aniruddha Chore (63*) – continuing his fine form – and Gayan Maneeshan (62) helped see their side over the line and ensure the gap to leaders Waringstown remains at just four points.

Andre Malan 100 (Waringstown) vs Instonians

Malan is an absolute run machine and he powered to a fourth century of the 2021 season against Instonians. The South African reached the landmark from 73 deliveries (eight fours, seven sixes) but was then caught off the bowling of Ben Rose.

Kyle McCallan (4-32) and James Mitchell (3-47) secured a 42-run win for the Villagers as Instonians were bowled out for 197.

Section One

Robin Sinton 5-29, 47 (Donacloney Mill) vs Derriaghy

A big reason for Derriaghy's first defeat of the season was Sinton's all-round performance at the Factory Ground. He hit 47 in the first innings as the home side were bowled out for 179 before picking up the first three Derriaghy wickets to leave the visitors sitting on 30-3 after 8 overs. Sinton picked up another two as the league leaders were dismissed for 118 to hand Donacloney Mill a 52-run win on DLS.

Chris Pyper 5-39 (Bangor) vs Saintfield

Pyper's five-wicket haul for Bangor may have been in a losing effort against Saintfield but he still produced one of the finest bowling displays of the day. Batting first, Saintfield scored 206-8 with Paddy Telford (68) leading the way but Pyper's bowling helped keep them within touching distance of a third league win. Bangor finished on 197-7 – just nine runs short of their opponents total.

Section Three

Andrew Savage 5-23 (Ards) vs Dunmurry

Savage's efforts helped limit Dunmurry to 133 all out but Ards still found themselves on the losing side after ending on 127-8. Ards opening batsman Sam Ingham also scored 84 but no other player was able to post double figures to support him as they fell to defeat.

Congratulations to all those above on their performances over the weekend in Robinson Services competitions.