TWENTY20 FINALS DAY

Play gets underway on Sunday at Shaw’s Bridge at 2-30pm with the Instonians Seahorses taking on the Waringstown Villagers while in the other semi, the Derriaghy Dragons face the Downpatrick Cricketers.

The Seahorses came through qualifying Group C with a 100% record having easily accounted for the Carrick Eagles, the Braidside Blacks and the Cliftonville Cobras. The previously undefeated Old Boys have lost their last two games, and are in the harder side of the draw, but in Regan West and Andrew White they have two potential match winners capable of big scores in the shorter form of the game.

Their semi-final opponents are the Waringstown Villagers, who also qualified with a 100% record. Simon Harrison has been in the runs in this competition and with international Kyle McCallan in the ranks, alongside proven performers such as Johnny Bushe and Michael Scott, they will consider themselves a match for anyone.

The Derriaghy Dragons are also unbeaten so far in this competition, and over the shorter duration will fancy their chances of an upset. Their South African connection provides the backbone to their team with brothers Albert and Marty Van Der Merwe featuring heavily with both bat and ball.

The Downpatrick Cricketers make their first appearance on finals day, and they had to do it the hard way by knocking out 2005 winners North Down. It was the match between the two that made the difference in Group B when a scampered bye of the last ball ensured a 5 wicket win at The Green in the first qualifying match. They followed this up with another five wicket win over the Bangor Gryphons which rendered their last day defeat to Woodvale meaningless.

The final is due to start at 6-00pm while food and drink will be available for spectators, and the tournament sponsor will be entertaining representatives from the competing clubs.

Twenty20 Shield