James breaks record with double hundred

The Waringstown opening batsman made an incredible unbeaten 206 as the villagers thrashed Academy at The Castle Grounds in Belfast.

Hall’s innings narrowly surpassed the 203 not out made by the late Indian professional Raman Lamba against Queen’s University in 1987.

What was most impressive about Hall’s feat was that it came in difficult batting conditions.

While most of his team-mates struggled to adapt, Hall was in brilliant touch from the outset.

James McCollum and Lee Nelson both went cheaply early on as Waringstown wobbled after being put in by Academy, with Adam Dennison also falling, but Hall continued to bat as if on another planet.

Ruham Pretorious, the professional, was Waringstown’s next high scorer with 36 but while wickets fell at the other end Hall continued to pummel the boundaries.

He struck 12 fours and an incredible 17 sixes, the 206 taking the small matter of 154 balls. It was a throwback to 2011 when Obus Pienaar took CIYMS for 244 at The Lawn. Waringstown piled up 328 for seven.

Phil Eaglestone then ripped into Academy’s batting, taking four for 14 as the home side slumped to 42 for nine. Stephen Fawcett struck 27 in a last-wicket stand that took them to 79 all out.

Previously on Thursday night Waringstown eased to a 81-run victory over Civil Service North in the Twenty20 Cup last Thursday night.

Lee Nelson,the captain, top scored with 39 from just 36 balls and David Dawson a quickfire 24 but the villagers slumped to 115 for seven as a clatter of wickets fell.

Gary Kidd rescued them by smashing an unbeaten 27 from 12 balls as Waringstown reached 156 for eight in 20 overs.

CSNI’s reply got off to a disastrous start, James Mitchell removing Charlie Beverland and then Pretorious taking two wickets in two balls, including the prize scalp of Shane Getkate first ball.

It was 21 for five by the fifth over and although the CSNI professional Mansoor struck some defiant boundaries Waringstown won by 81 runs.