Glen keeps hopes alive

Waringstown’s South African professional smashed an incredible unbeaten century in the second round of the competition as the villagers pulled off a remarkable win over Brigade.

On Sunday he went one step better in the quarter-finals as he hit an unbeaten 93 as Waringstown beat five-times Irish Cup winners North County at Balrothery.

Waringstown are now in the semi-finals for a third successive year, a remarkable achievement, and they have been given a home draw in the last four against The Hills.

Kyle McCallan’s men were certainly given a tough ride as North County, even without injured Ireland all-rounder John Mooney, provided stern resistance as they tried to defend a total of 252.

It all appeared to be going the villagers’ way in the run chase as James Hall launched a blistering early assault on the North County attack. The former Ireland batsman struck six four and five sixes in making 80 from just 71 balls before he fell just after drinks.

At 151 for two, Waringstown were in total control until Hall’s departure, and Addicott then found a willing ally in McCallan as the pair added 70 for the fourth wicket.

At 221 for three the visitors were seemingly in cruise control but after McCallan was caught at mid-wicket off the impressive Shane Getkate (4-30) panic spread in an inexperienced Waringstown lower middle order.

David Dawson left a straight ball and was bowled and when Josh Hall was beaten for pace by Getkate, the visitors had lost three wickets for four runs to slump to 225 for six.

Addicott simply never played a semblance of a false shot, and Jamie Matthews eased the nerves by playing with the full face of the bat during a handy 17. Matthews, who kept wicket superbly earlier in the day, fell to Getkate but Addicott effectively won the contest with a towering straight six that sailed out of the ground off Adam Coughlan, the Ireland under-19 spinner.

Waringstown were home with 15 balls to spare with Addicott unbeaten on 94 from 96 balls. He hit eight fours and five sixes.

North County appeared to have strategically chosen a pitch right at the edge of the square to negate Waringstown’s spinners with a tiny boundary on one side, but it didn’t pay dividends after they were put in to bat. Gary Kidd bowled superbly, taking three for 29, including the wicket of top scorer Conor Armstrong for 75.

Terry Richardson threatened to take the game away from Waringtown with 44 from 21 balls, including five sixes and two fours, and when 40 runs came from two overs as Richardson peppered the boundaries the home side were suddenly entertaining thoughts of reaching 300.

However, Addicott, who else, ran Richardson out with a piece of quick thinking and when North County lost their last five wickets for 18 runs Waringstown had something far more manageable to chase.