Lee and Obus run riot asWaringstown hammer CSNI

Lee Nelson starred with an unbeaten 99 and Obus Pienaar hit 75 not out as Waringstown won by eight wickets with almost three overs to spare.

The visitors appeared to be in charge of proceedings when Regan West, the former Ireland international, blasted a majestic century.

West thumped 17 fours and two sixes in 101 from just 84 balls as CSNI raced to 170 for one.

Waringstown were missing captain Kyle McCallan and Greg Thompson on holiday and acting skipper Lee Nelson was short of bowling options.

However, when West holed out to Phil Eaglestone off Gary Kidd the momentum started to swing back towards the home side.

Nigel Jones rode his luck after being dropped on the boundary and he threatened a big score as he made 62 off 72 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes.

But after launching Nelson for two huge maximums the Ireland international was well caught by Obus Pienaar on the boundary.

From there Waringstown made inroads on a consistent basis as Nelson claimed three for 59 and James Hall two for 36.

The final total of 274 all out was at least 30 short of where CSNI had hoped to be on one of the best batting tracks you will ever see.

Waringtown were out of the blocks quickly in reply as teenager Adam Dennison (31) and James Hall added 69 for the first wicket.

Dennison eventually fell to Jones, but Hall looked in superb touch as he struck 54 from 69 balls. He hit five fours and two sixes before being bowled aiming a big shot off Colin Andrews.

From there it was all about Nelson and Pienaar with the former being particularly impressive. The Ireland A international hit 11 fours and a six and Pienaar’s 75 not out from 69 balls included seven fours and two sixes.

The only disappointment was that Nelson, who needed six to reach his hundred, could only manage a four, and he finished on 99 not out.