Derriaghy Seconds produce the goods to lift NCU Intermediate Cup

On a cold, overcast day, Woodvale’s decision to bat first, after winning the toss, seemed a good call as they raced to 55 for 2 after 10 with Stuart McAllister and Simon Gilmore picking up a wicket each.

The introduction of Robert Cumins and Kingsley Beckett into the attack slowed the run rate down and although they failed to capture a wicket, only 22 were scored in the next 10 to leave Woodvale on 77 at the half way stage.

Several chances went to hand during the mid innings period but none were clung on to and this allowed the Belfast side to accelerate as their innings came to a close.

Both Beckett and Cumins finished their 8 over spells wicketless but having only conceded 18 and 28 runs respectively.

Change bowlers Travis Moorhead and Daniel Ballantyne proved more expensive and even the returning McAllister and Gilmore failed to prevent the 200 mark being broken, despite 2 runs outs, as Woodvale closed on 207 for 5. Simon picked up a second wicket to finish with 2 for 46 while Stuart had 1 for 46.

Darren O’Neill with 78 and Tim Rutherford with 62 not out were the main run scorers, however, O’Neill’s running up the line of the stumps did result in Derriaghy being awarded 5 penalty runs meaning they needed 203 to win when they batted.

Rob Cumins opened along with Dean Ferris and it was the former who struck out from the start rattling 37 including 2 maximums and 3 boundaries in 6 overs before being bowled with 45 on the board.

Next in was Ross Mulholland and he rattled up 20 before being run out.

Aaron Kinnin did not last long hitting just 4 before departing to a smart catch. While these wickets fell Ferris was building a solid innings and along with captain David Scott (18) saw 127 up in the 24th over before departing for a solid 42 that included 4 boundaries.

Scott was next to go 6 runs later and with 75 still required and only 14 overs remaining they faced a stiff challenge.

However S McAllister and number 7 Jonathan Bell proved up to the task, slowly at first, building a match winning partnership of 59 runs before Stuart was bowled after hitting his second 6 in an innings of 31. 15 were now required of 3 with Beckett in to join Bell.

A boundary plus a few well run singles and a couple of extras left just 2 needed off 7 balls.

JB then hit the winning runs to leave him on 27 not out and ensure that at least one piece of NCU silverware will be residing in the council area of Lisburn for the next year.

NCU President Billy Boyd then awarded the Man of the Match to Stuart McAllister before handing the trophy to David Scott for safe keeping at Queensway for the next 12 months and allow the celebrations to begin.

• Derriaghy U13’s have qualified for the U13 League Cup final and will play Lisburn in the U13 League Final tonight (Friday) at 5.30pm in Wallace Park.