...although in some cases the cricket did not quite match up to the weather.
This was no more apparent than at Shaw’s Bridge were a rampant Instonians cruised to a 10-wicket victory over an inept Lisburn. The home side became the first team into the semi-final draw by 4.00 Pm and the fact that it took that long was down to the players taking tea at 2 PM. By then the match was effectively over with Lisburn dismissed for 99.
Lisburn were perhaps awestruck by the surprise appearance of Irish international Andrew White in the Instonians ranks rather than with the Irish squad in Dublin. It appears White was equally surprised; despite the club asking and receiving clearance from Ireland coach Phil Simmons. Apparently this was granted late on Friday evening and White himself only discovered via a text message at 6.45 AM.
As the Lisburn openers Greg Thompson and Johnny Bell set about the Instonians opening attack of Clark and Dale posting 30 in the first half dozen overs it did not prepare the onlookers for what was about to happen.
Instonians unleashed their version of the 3W’s the triple pronged spin attack of White West and Wells and the deck of cards that was the Lisburn batting collapsed in spectacular fashion. The visitors slumped from 49 for 1 to 99 all out with the spinners taking all 10 wickets.
White was the destroyer in chief with 5 for 26, but you could make an argument that Regan West bowled even better taking 3 for 16. Wells had the remained two at the cost of 7 runs.
The least said about the Lisburn batting the better, they will argue about a poor pitch with the ball turning square but does that excuse 9 wickets falling for 50, a lot more was down to poor shot selection. Only Thompson offered any resistance with 33 from 35 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours, no one else passed 10.
The demons in the wicket seemed to disappear when Instonians captain John Stevenson and opening partner Rory McCann took charge. The pair took 25.3 overs to see up the 100 required for victory.
The pair gave barely a chance and the tone was set from ball one a half volley, which Stevenson elegantly cracked for four. If the batting from Lisburn was poor the bowling and fielding were little better, the Instonians batsmen merely waited for the loose deliveries to punish and they received them with regularity.
Stevenson remained undefeated on 54 from 84 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes and McCann initially content to play second fiddle made 41 from 69 balls with 6 fours. NCU Chairman Billy Boyd nominated International Andrew White Down Democrat Man of the Match.
