The majority of results went to form in the Gallagher Challenge Cup second round with seven Premier League teams progressing alongside Derriaghy – the sole Section One representative – to the quarter-finals.

Defending champions CIYMS proved why they will be considered favourites to lift a fifth crown in seven seasons after easily dispatching Cliftonville Academy by eight wickets at the Castle Grounds.

Matthew McCord (41no) provided the main resistance against a six-man CI bowling attack that each registered in the wicket column as the hosts were all out for 115.

Irish international Mark Adair (35no) and Chris Dougherty (30no) shared an unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 71 to secure their side's progression.

Perhaps the only surprise result of Saturday's action came with last year's finalists North Down being eliminated by Instonians, who continue their excellent form in this competition after appearing in five finals since 2012.

Shane Getkate (42) led the way as they posted 231 and the North West Warriors all-rounder capped off a superb afternoon by collecting figures of 3-31.

North Down captain Alistair Shields (46) and Neil Brand (72) both contributed once again but the Comber side finished 50 runs short of their target.

26-time champions Waringstown also secured safe progress after Morgan Topping's first century set up a 114-run victory over Armagh.

The Section One side made a great start as Ben Mackey (2-54) picked up two early wickets but that brought Jamie Gibson (73) to the crease and alongside Topping (104) the pair set a platform that helped push the hosts up to 294.

It was always going to be a tough ask but Aaron Wright (64) once again showed his quality before Greg Thompson's (3-22) introduction helped limit Armagh to 180.

Lisburn recorded the biggest team total, most runs from an individual and largest winning margin of the afternoon as they beat Bangor by 285 runs.

Faiz Fazal (106) was once again in sparkling form, sharing partnerships of 120 and 94 with Jonny Waite (64) and Adam Berry (81) respectively as the Wallace Park outfit finished on an unassailable 326/3.

Northern Knights duo Josh Manley (5-21) and Matthew Humphreys (4-9) ensured the Bangor chase never gained any momentum as Lisburn continued their brilliant start to the season.

2018 finalists CSNI are in the hat too after Paddy Beverland (53no) helped them seal a seven-wicket triumph over Ballymena.

Liam Peters (54) and former CSNI captain James Kennedy (40) both produced important knocks before the visitors were bowled out for 147 thanks to contributions from Ben Adair (3-30) and Adam Leckey (3-11).

Beverland – excelling in his new role at the top of the order – carried his bat throughout the innings and shared a match-winning partnership of 65 with Troy Johnson (31no), who had earlier picked up remarkable figures of 2-11 from his 10 overs.

In the only all-Section One clash, league leaders Derriaghy made light work of Dundrum with a 10-wicket victory which was set up by the bowlers.
Wayne Hughes (5-14) and captain Curtis Moorhead (3-16) ripped through the Dundrum middle and lower order after the hosts had made a solid start, reducing them from 48-1 to 71 all out.

Michael Halliday (41no) and Ross Bailey (31no) ensured there would be no drama in their chase, securing a second consecutive Challenge Cup quarter-final berth in the process.

Carrickfergus got revenge on Woodvale for a league defeat earlier this season by reversing the result in a hard-fought four-wicket win.

Jeremy Lawlor (3-25) dismissed both of Woodvale's set batsmen - Ruhan Pretorius (30) and Aditya Adey (25) – meaning the hosts could only muster 148.

They had early success though when Ronan Restieaux (3-41) picked up the prize wickets of Lawlor and Jacques Snyman to leave Carrick reeling at 37-4, but a composed innings from Alex Haggan (55), who was supported by Ashwin Shetty (28), helped drag them over the line.

Cregagh make up the last-eight after fine bowling from Ross Boultwood (3-11), Charlie Shannon (3-11) and Sathish Suresh (3-12) helped set up a comfortable seven-wicket win over Muckamore.

Luke Allen (38) was the only real contributor for the visitors before Jay Hunter (37) and captain Aaron Johnston (36no) combined to seal their progress.

In the revamped Women's Challenge Cup that is now split into two groups of three teams before a semi-final stage, Muckamore won a tight Group A contest against North Down by 10 runs.

Captain Amy Caulfield (63no) was the driving force behind their final total of 127/1 and then picked up two important wickets to help the Moylena side start on a winning note. 

Gallagher Challenge Cup