The final was played in beautiful sunny conditions after an early shower and the large crowd was treated to a lively exchange by two highly talented and motivated teams. Local groundsman Raymond Moreland produced a belter of a wicket that offered plenty of bounce and apart from one delivery that kept low, it was consistent and offered plenty of assistance to the slow bowlers as the match progressed. The possibility of early life encouraged Instonians captain Eugene Moleon to insert his opposition and the early wicket of Adam Dennison justified his decision. Two more wickets followed, but the match was effectively decided by the stand between the Waringstown big guns McCallan and South African professional Obus Pienaar. Both started cautiously to restore the early damage caused by the lively Moleon and Barbadian Carleton Broome, but after they asserted control they unleashed a powerful onslaught to stifle the Instonians spin bowlers.
Pienaar may not be the savage batsman he was a couple of years ago, but he was in terrific form and launched several mighty shots over the spectators’ heads and onto the top ground. At the same time McCallan played the measured innings with a wise old head and when the situation demanded he upped the pace and raced to a brilliant century close to the finish. He eventually fell for 110 going for another big hit as the Villagers finished on 265-6. It was a formidable total, but within reach on the fast Comber pitch if the top Instonians batsmen delivered. Sadly for the Belfast team, they didn’t, and despite a brisk opening from Neil Russell (43) and John Stevenson (39) the engine-room of James Shannon and Andrew White fell cheaply and with it went any chance of winning. Shannon fell to a loose full toss that he would normally despatch in his sleep and ‘Whitey’ tickled a fast rising delivery behind that would have beaten most batsmen.
Skipper Moleon delivered some belligerent blows late in the innings, but he batted too low in the order and suffered the ignominy of seeing his tail-end disintegrate, as he remained undefeated on 28. Inst eventually finished on 178, a massive 87 adrift, but skipper Moleon was quick to congratulate the victors who delivered an impressive performance in keeping with true Waringstown Senior Cup tradition.
Paul Thompson of the Ulster Bank presented the impressive Senior Cup to a delighted Kyle McCallan at the end of the match amidst plenty of jovial Waringsown celebrations and NCU President Chris Harte carried out his official duties with his usual aplomb and efficiency. It was an impressive hosting by the NCU administration and the North Down club on a splendid day for cricket.
Congratulations all round.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
