Congratulations to both Lurgan CC and Lisburn CC on winning the first silverware of the NCU season. Lurgan defeating Donacloney Mill by 6 wickets to claim the LVS T20 Trophy and Lisburn beat the holders Waringstown by 3 wickets to lift the LVS T20 Cup. The weather held up and spectators were treated to a great day's cricket.
In the first final of the day Donacloney Mill batted first and ended on 124-7 in their 20 overs. Top scorer was Craig Kennedy with 48 supported by Atish Varape with 39 and Aaron Kennedy with 29. Callum Grieve was the star of the show with the ball for Lurgan claiming 3-16 in his 2 overs.
Lurgan's reply got off to a bad start with captain Stephen Johnston out third ball for 0 and a second wicket quickly fell in the 4th over with Australian "Reggie" Els out leaving them 22-2. Johnny Hunter and Stephen Chambers steadied the ship and then a partnership of 53 between Chambers and Player of the Match Callum Grieve put Lurgan on the brink of victory. Grieve and Jack Maxwell saw their team through to victory.
The second final saw Waringstown bat first and they were bowled out in 19.1 overs for 127 with Morgan Topping top scoring with 40. Josh Manley was the pick of the Lisburn attack with 3-23 in his 4 overs ably supported by Ryan McBeth, Callum Atkinson and skipper Neil Whitworth who all picked up 2 wickets apiece.
In reply Lisburn were rocked by losing 2 early wickets but Player of the Match Faiz Fazal stayed firm scoring the only half century of the day. When he was out at 100 David Miller with a quick fire 16 off 7 balls and Glenn Halliday saw Lisburn close in on victory and Halliday saw his team over the line with an unbeaten 17 off 14 balls.
Well done to both teams and Lisburn now have the Gallagher Challenge Cup Final to look forward to on Friday 2 August when they take on Muckamore at Stormont.
Finally, congratulatons to Waringstown for the superb staging of Finals Day and to the sponsors Lagan Valley Steels.
