Bready bunch clinch Ulster Cup

Bready CC winners O'Neill's Ulster Cup. Included are Kieran Kennedy, managing director, O'Neill's Sportswear, and Joe Doherty, president, Cricket Ireland. Picture by Lorcan Doherty/Presseye.com

The Magheramason men have been casting nervous glances towards the foot of the North West Premiership table after a recent slump in form, but you would hardly have known from a convincing win at Strabane Park.

The damage was inflicted with the ball as Waringstown never got going in reply to Bready’s 185. A much-vaunted batting line-up couldn’t cope with the pace and hostility of Ireland bowler Craig Young.

Waringstown’s success this season has been founded on a strong top order but they were blown away here to lose their second cup final in little more than a fortnight and their second Ulster Cup final loss in two years. The NCU team reached 19 without loss comfortably enough but soon their innings was in complete tatters.

The openers James McCollum and James Hall went in quick succession, McCollum bowled by Young for 15 and Hall falling victim to Bready captain David Scanlon.

Adam Dennison found Young far too hot to handle and at 31 for three there was no way back.

Lee Nelson, the captain, said he di not get an edge to Ernest Kemm’s delivery that he was given out caught behind for but it was a moot point as Waringstown couldn’t cope with the South African’s prodigious spin. With Ryan Barr chipping in with three for 23 it was soon a scarcely believable 52 for eight before a late rally took Waringstown to 91 all out. Fittingly Young, three for 24, wrapped up a 91-run win on Duckworth Lewis.

Earlier in the day Bready recovered from losing three wickets for five runs as they went from 63 for one to 68 for four. But David Barr top scored with 41 and Brian Crumley contributed a vital 30.

There were also handy contributions down the order from Mark Olphert and the skipper Scanlon as Bready posted an above par 185 for nine in their 40 overs.

They were favourites at that stage but even they couldn’t have imagined skittling Waringstown’s powerful batting line-up with such ease.

Carrickfergus will play Killclooney in the final of the National Cup after a five-wicket victory over Dundrum of the Leinster union. Iain Parkhill, the Carrick captain made 64 and Gordon Browne top scored with 66 as they chased down a target of 203 with ease.

Killyclooney beat Woodvale by 41 runs after posting 207 all out and dismissing the NCU side for 156.