Woodvale pick up a win on their return

Woodvale marked their first top-flight game in over a decade with a 19-run Robinson Services Cup victory over Lisburn at Wallace Park on Saturday.
Waringstowns James Mitchell holds a catch near the boundary after a bit of juggling.  Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker PressWaringstowns James Mitchell holds a catch near the boundary after a bit of juggling.  Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Waringstowns James Mitchell holds a catch near the boundary after a bit of juggling. Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press

In what was a clash between the previous two Section One champions, Woodvale batted first and posted a total of 130/6 from their 20 overs – the format that every game will be played in this season.

Opening batsman Wayne Horwood (44), who has previous experience of playing in the Premier League during a successful spell with CSNI, led the way, scoring his runs off only 35 deliveries, including two sixes.

Another player in the Woodvale ranks that has enjoyed a stint in the top-flight is Stephen Bunting (16) and he was able to push the Ballygomartin Road side towards a competitive total alongside captain Jamie Gibson (16*).

New signing Pavan Karthik (3-15) shone on his debut, picking up the early wickets of Robert Rankin (6) and Jonny Waite (15) before another new addition, Kyle Walsh, picked up his first scalp after Lisburn captain Adam Berry was caught by Jack Burton to leave Lisburn sitting at 30-3.

Richard Simpson (32) and Stuart Lightbody (22*) put on 55 for the seventh wicket as the home side tried to rally for victory but the latter was run out by Ferhan Saeed, who then rounded off the innings with two wickets of his own as Lisburn fell short of the target.

Elsewhere, favourites CIYMS kicked their campaign off with a 29-run win over neighbours CSNI at Belmont.

The opening duo of John Matchett (34) and Chris Dougherty (23) picked up where they left off last season, putting on 48 for the first wicket before the latter was bowled by Andrew Cowden.

That set the platform for Jacob Mulder (20), Nigel Jones (17) and Jason van der Merwe (29*) to push their total to 146/4, which proved to be more than a winning score.

CSNI were without winter signing Stuart Thompson after he was called up to Ireland’s squad for their series against England earlier in the day, but fellow new boy Ross Adair (30 off 24) impressed on his first competitive outing before he was dismissed by Karthik Rajavelu.

Captain Jones (2-14) and Mulder (2-25) were the standout bowlers for the home side as CSNI ended on 117/7.

There was also a victory for Instonians who came out on the right side of a last over thriller at The Lawn against Waringstown.

Nikolai Smith (58* from 40) was the driving force behind Instonians score of 148/5 while new signing Marcus Poskitt (26) also contributed before he was bowled by Morgan Topping.

Greg Thompson is one of the most dangerous players in the NCU in the shortest format and lived up to that billing by striking 68* from 55 deliveries but with nine needed off the final over,

James Hunter held his nerve to see the visiting side over the line by three runs.

North Down will fancy their chances of challenging for silverware this season and it was Aditya Adey (51*) who played the starring role that helped them to an opening day four points at home to Carrickfergus.

All eyes were on Scottish international George Munsey (10) in his first game for Carrick but it was opening partner and captain Michael Gilmour (47) that did most of the damage as they managed only 104/6.

It was never going to be enough and Adey, in his first outing for North Down, put on 78 for the second wicket with captain Alistair Shields (46) as the pair broke the back of the run chase to secure an eight-wicket triumph.

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