The first silverware of the 2024 NCU season will be won tomorrow when the Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy and T20 Cup finals are contested at The Lawn. All eyes will be on the weather forecast for Sunday but hopefully the rain gods will be kind and both finals will be played in full.
Local rivals Donacloney Mill and Lurgan will go head to head in the T20 Trophy final starting at 11.00am. Both will be bidding to win the cup for the first time.
Lurgan easily overcame Belfast by 9 wickets in the semi final with Stephen Johnston's unbeaten 51 helping them to victory. This after Adam Johnson and overseas player "Reggie" Els both took two wickets.
Donacloney Mill, having gone unbeaten in the group stages, overcame Templepatrick by 8 wickets in their semi final with Shane Warren top scoring with 69 and professional Atish Varape unbeaten on 49. Young Harry Lockhart was the 'Cloney's best bowler with 3-26.
So Sunday's final, a local derby, should be an entertaining affair with both sides in good form and hoping their main players turn up on the day.
Then starting at 3.00pm Waringstown defend the T20 Cup against Lisburn in what should be a titanic tussle.
Both teams had exciting victories in their respective semi finals. Lisburn defeating CIYMS by 4 wickets with just 3 balls to spare! James Hunter leading the way with a hard hitting 81, supported by Johnny Waite with 46.
Waringstown had an equally tight finish beating Woodvale by just 12 runs after looking as if they may have lost the game. Greg Thompson led the way with a typical captain's innings of 82 n.o. backed up in the field with JCD and young Josh Frogatt both taking 3 wickets to halt Woodvale's push for victory.
Both finalists are likely to be missing key players with Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Graham Hume and James McCollum all in the Ireland Test squad for the historic Test Match at Stormont next week.
Lisburn will probably start as favourites with Faiz and Nigel Jones in their ranks. Although Waringstown always fancy their chances especially on their home patch.
A shout out to the sponsors - Lagan Valley Steels for their continued support.
Best of luck to all four teams.
JK
