Cliftonville Academy and Instonians book T20 Cup Final clash after impressive last-four triumphs

Belfast Telegraph

16-06-2025

CIYMS collapsed in the first match from 51 for one to 100 all out to make CA strong favourites at the midway point. Ben Kane and Jared Wilson each took three wickets, while overseas professional Abhishek Raut claimed two.
The chase looked like being a routine one as Raut (19) and Francis Collins (22) shared an opening stand of 43 before left-arm spinner Alex Armstrong intervened.
The teenager took two wickets and also ran out Raut, deflecting a Wilson drive onto the stumps at the non-striker end.
Suddenly, it was very much game on at 72 for six, but John Glass – who famously hit six sixes off the last over to win the T20 Trophy for Ballymena in 2021 – and skipper Matthew McCord held their nerve to seal a four-wicket win off the penultimate ball.
'We've targeted this competition from pre-season, and I'm just delighted we got over the line today and into the Final,' said a relieved McCord afterwards.
'Our bowling attack put in a great shift to keep them to 100, and we needed every one of those runs in the end in a tight finish.
'Abhi and Frank gave us a great start in the chase, and one of our big strengths in this format is our deep batting with 1-11 capable of clearing the ropes.
'Unfortunately, we went through most of us to get over the line today, but the closeness made it that bit sweeter too as we really had to fight for it.
'John played a brilliant knock – I had no doubts when we needed 29 off 23 that us two would see us home.
'Cliftonville Academy have never won a senior trophy since the merger, starting in Section Two in 2018, and it's been 28 years from Cliftonville's last senior trophy, so we've been very motivated to be the first group since 1997 to do that.
'The T20 Finals day is a great occasion and we can't wait to play in it.'
South African professional Shane Dadswell was the match-winner as Instonians overcame CSNI in the afternoon match.
He cleared the ropes six times in a top score of 64 from just 31 balls to help the Shaw's Bridge side to 158 for six, with runs too for Cian Robertson (30 not out).
Matthew Foster (two for 16) was by far the pick of the Stormont side's attack.
Early wickets from James Magee and Cian Robertson meant CSNI were always chasing the game.
Teenager Adam Leckey gave them hope with a defiant 40, but 24 were needed from the last over. Ryan Hunter (27*) managed 15, but the task was just too much as Instonians clinched an eight-run win.
Meanwhile, Bangor will meet Cregagh in the T20 Trophy decider after comfortable wins in the last-four.
Favourites Carrickfergus were bundled out for just 88, with three wickets apiece for Chris Pyper and Angus Farrell. Sam McMillan's 33 sealed the seven-wicket win with five overs to spare.
Meanwhile, Adam McCormick (61*) and Jonny Moore (44*) shared an unbroken second wicket stand of 90 as Cregagh chased 121 to beat Donacloney Mill by nine wickets.