Villagers bounce back with fine win

The villagers lost to Instonians and Ballymena in their previous matches, but bounced back with a superb batting and bowling display against dangerous opposition.

With heavy showers around, CSN captain Nigel Jones opted to bowl first but it was a dangerous strategy to allow Waringstown’s powerful top order first use of a superb pitch.

James Hall and Simon Harrison, the Waringstown openers, were out of the blocks quickly and Hall brought up his 50 inside 15 overs as the visitors reached 85 without loss. The century came up in the 19th over and CSN finally got a belated breakthrough three overs later as Harrison (46) was caught behind with the score on 121.

Hall followed soon after, bowled by John Costain after making a superb 76 from 90 balls, including nine fours and two sixes. But that was merely the signal for Lee Nelson and South African professional Glen Addicott to add 123 for the third wicket in double quick time.

Addicott brought up the 200 by hitting a huge straight six with Nelson reaching his 50 in the 41st over. Addicott followed him to the milestone with another boundary an over later. Nelson eventually fell for 66 from 72 balls, after hitting five fours and a six, while Addicott’s 71 from only 57 balls including eight fours and a six.

Waringstown should really have reached 300 but that was only a minor complaint in a huge total of 297 for five in their 50 overs.

CSN were never at the races in reply with Alan Harrison breaking through early to dismiss the in-form Charlie Beverland and Addicott took the most important wicket of the day as he trapped professional Griffin Nieuwoudt lbw for just a single. Jones was batting with a runner after sustaining an injury in the field and when he was bowled by Nelson for 18, CSN were in deep trouble.

Kris Lyness (2-15) bowled the dangerman Regan West and from there it was only a matter of when Waringstown would secure the points as CSN were eventually dismissed for only 112. Kyle McCallan mopped up the tail with three wickets without conceding a single run.

Waringstown, who saw their Saturday league match against Lisburn washed out at The Lawn with the visitors in a good position batting first, will be hoping the weather dries up for this weekend as they face The Hills in the Irish Cup semi-final on Saturday and champions North Down on Sunday.