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Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Nikolai Smith reveals what the key behind Inst's rise from bottom half to treble chasers has been
That's a far cry from the struggles of 2024, and skipper Nikolai Smith has hailed the influence of their overseas professional in the upturn in their fortunes. 'It's all gone really, really well so far with so many guys in great form,' said Smith. 'We have bounced back really well from last season when we were in the bottom half of the League. 'Shane Dadswell returning as our overseas professional has made a huge difference as he is fantastic with the players. 'He's so positive and having him in the team is massive. Not only his contributions with bat and ball but the way he interacts with everyone has just given the club a massive boost. 'He adds so much and lifts everyone, making them feel two feet taller, giving them tremendous belief in their ability. 'Cade Carmichael, Neil Rock and Cian Robertson are having excellent seasons, as well as others all chipping in. Everyone has stepped up and are all doing really well for us. 'We're helped too by the fact we have such a strong second XI, and they are pushing for places and putting the first-team guys under pressure, which is helping everyone be at their best and perform. 'The key to our success this year so far has been individuals focusing on their own job and doing it well.' Despite that strong start, they haven't won anything yet, and have some huge matches coming up against Waringstown both in the Premiership and Cup Final, as well as a T20 Final next week against Cliftonville Academy. 'There are some really good teams in the League, so there are no games where you think that this will be easy. You have to be at your best every week. We are really looking forward to the Cup Finals,' continued Smith. 'They are so tough to win, and the fact that we are mostly playing away from home in the remaining matches makes it a little bit tougher, but we are in a great position. 'It won't just be Waringstown that we have to perform against as you have to beat good teams to win things, and we will be doing our best just to do that.' Instonians passed two massive tests of their trophy credentials in July with back-to-back wins over rivals Lisburn – victories that have given the Shaw's Bridge side massive belief. 'While the toss in those matches was obviously important, the guys were really up for it and played some tremendous cricket against a very good team,' he added. 'The bowling unit was superb and the batters all did their jobs. We weren't expecting to chase 180 both days, so to win comfortably just instils more confidence that we can beat any team on our day.' Smith has actually played international cricket – not for his native South Africa or indeed Ireland where he has lived for the past 12 years with his local wife and two young children, but for Italy, where his mother hails from. It's been a huge week for the Azzurri, who beat Scotland to qualify for next year's T20 World Cup. Smith played 10 times for Italy, making his debut in 2019, and scoring a century against Kenya in a 50-overs game. Was there any chance of a return for the 32-year-old all-rounder? 'It's been a fantastic achievement for them to qualify as these tournaments are always notoriously tough. It's so good for Italian cricket as a whole and will allow them to really grow the game,' he said. 'In terms of myself, I would love to play for them again, but I'm realistic enough to know they have some really fantastic players now and I didn't really perform that well when I was there. 'I'm certainly still available for selection, but if it did happen, I would have to score runs and try and nail down a spot. 'Not being in the team is down to me not really taking the chances when I had them.' Instonians are away at CIYMS in the first match of the top-six split, while Lisburn entertain Muckamore and North Down host Waringstown. In the relegation battle, Woodvale take on CSNI, while Cliftonville Academy face Templepatrick. In the North West, Newbuildings and Brigade meet twice, firstly in the League and on Sunday in their rearranged Faughan Valley Cup Final. Leaders Donemana are at struggling Strabane, Bready host bottom side Eglinton and Ardmore meet Coleraine.
Belfast Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Sam Topping and Jared Wilson lead the way as Warriors avenge earlier defeat to Northern Knights
Waringstown left-hander Topping has been a revelation since his move to the North-West and his prolific form continued as he carried his bat through the innings, making an unbeaten 71 from just 57 balls (six fours, one maximum) to take his side to 181 for six. He shared a third wicket stand of 62 in eight overs with Andy McBrine, who hit four boundaries in a breezy 32, while Jared Wilson gave the innings late impetus with a quickfire 19. A heavy shower saw the Knights chasing a revised target of 81 in just seven overs, but the consensus was it could be done given the firepower in their ranks. However, the chase was soon in tatters with two of their big guns — international openers Paul Stirling and Ross Adair both back in the pavilion inside two overs. The carnage continued with Jared Wilson taking three wickets in an over, followed by three wickets in three balls in the next over bowled by McBrine, as six wickets were lost for just three runs — 24 for two becoming 27 for eight. No.10 Sean Davey was top-scorer with 10 as the Knights couldn't even bat their seven overs — all out for 42. Wilson had an excellent four for 15, while McBrine and Graham Hume each picked two wickets in the comfortable win. 'It's very nice to get off to a winning start at this Festival after losing the last two games in Cork,' said skipper McBrine afterwards. 'We've talked about energy levels where we've tended to start quite well then drop a wee bit. Hopefully this week will see a change of mindset.' McBrine paid tribute to the efforts of Topping and Wilson, who played such a pivotal role in the victory. 'Sam (Topping) has been excellent all year. That's four 50s and a century he has now. He's been in great form and hopefully that will continue. He's a brilliant lad to have around the camp and has really fitted in. 'Jared Wilson bowled exceptionally well and got his just rewards with a four-fer. 'He bowled a great line and length and those three wickets in the over effectively ended the game.' In the afternoon game, defending champions Leinster Lightning secured another bonus point win as they beat Munster Reds by six wickets. Barry McCarthy's new-ball burst had Munster reeling on 16 for four inside the powerplay, accounting for Swapnil Modgill, Kian Hilton and Sulieman Safi, while Melvin Deveraj got the prize scalp of in-form Stephen Doheny. Former Ireland Under-19 captain Philippe Le Roux staged a recovery as he thumped 11 boundaries in an entertaining 80, but a final total of 122 for nine was never likely to trouble the powerful Dubliners line-up. Skipper Lorcan Tucker led the charge as he top-scored with 45 sharing stands of 42 with Chris De Freitas (39) and 35 with George Dockrell. Eight were needed off five balls to secure the extra point when Tucker was dismissed, but Seamus Lynch took needed two in a ruthless display. Meanwhile, the draw for the Semi-Finals of the Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup was made at Stormont, throwing up two intriguing ties. Woodvale will be aiming for a first final appearance in 25 years as they entertain favourites Waringstown, while Instonians, whose last win was in 2012, take on last year's beaten finalists Lisburn in a match that will have a bit of extra edge following their controversial T20 Group campaign. The ties will take place on Saturday July 5, with the reserve date Sunday, July 13.
Belfast Telegraph
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Lower-League pair's Challenge Cup Semi-Final dreams are dashed as top-tier foes reign supreme
Judd Markham hit seven fours and two sixes in a 51-ball 58 but received little support from the rest of the Donacloney Mill batters as they were bowled out for 126. The Lisburn bowling quintet of Neil Whitworth, Adam Kennedy, Ryan Macbeth, Josh Manley and Matthew Humphreys all took two wickets apiece. Ross Adair (12) went cheaply, but that was to be the sole success for the visitors as, conscious of the showery weather, Humphreys was promoted up the order. The move paid off as the Irish international added 88 in eight overs with overseas professional Faiz Fazal. Fazal top-scored with an unbeaten 53, while Player of the Match Humphreys made 44 not out, both hitting six fours and three maximums as the nine-wicket win was sealed in just the 11th over. It was a similar story at Middle Road where, batting first, Carrick would have been pleased to have reached 101 for one against Waringstown, with Atish Varape (54) and Iain Parkhill (34) sharing a century stand. The wheels came off in spectacular fashion, though, as they lost nine wickets for just 44 runs to be all out for 145. Waringstown captain Greg Thompson (four for 24) was the destroyer-in-chief, while there were two wickets apiece for Adam Dennison and James Mitchell. The game was all but over in the powerplay of the chase as Sam Topping and Dennison took the home side attack apart in an opening stand of 128. Topping bludgeoned eight fours and five sixes in a whirlwind 72 from only 29 deliveries, while Dennison's undefeated 61 saw him hit eight fours and two sixes as the nine-wicket win was sealed in the 15th over. Cade Carmichael made it back-to-back hundreds as he and Nikolai Smith made sure Instonians made short work of what looked like a challenging target of 212 in 38 against North Down. Carmichael has enjoyed a prolific 2025 campaign with his form bringing him Irish international recognition, and he was soon into his stride at Shaw's Bridge, hitting 15 fours and three sixes in a rapid 87-ball unbeaten 124. His stand with Smith was 215 in just 29 overs, with the skipper no slouch himself in an even-time 85 not out (nine fours). Mickey Copeland (88) and Tyron Koen (66) both made half-centuries for the Comber side, but their bowling unit had no answer to the blitzkrieg of boundaries that the Inst openers unleashed. If the first three ties were one-sided affairs, then the fourth certainly made amends as Woodvale beat Cliftonville Academy in a last-ball thriller. Varun Chopra's unbeaten 104 and 56 from Hayden Melly took CA to 253 for eight, with three wickets for Ludwig Kaestner. A shower meant an adjusted target of 242 in 43 overs, and the chase always seemed to be lagging a little behind as the required rate climbed. Harry Warke (45) and Stephen Bunting (28) got starts, but when the visitors lost Ruhan Pretorius for just five, the odds were heavily stacked against the Ballygomartin Road side. However, Kaestner proved the man for the big occasion as he and Finn Restieaux (37 not out) set about chasing down the score. With eight needed from the last three balls, Restieaux slashed a boundary, followed by a single to leave Kaestner needing three from the final ball. His powerful cut raced to the boundary amidst great scenes. He finished unbeaten on 112 (nine fours, six sixes), making the Man of the Match award a formality. The Semi-Final draw will be made on Tuesday during the T20 inter-pro series at Stormont.
Belfast Telegraph
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Waringstown cruise to victory over Lisburn to create three-way tie at top of Premier League table
It's a three-way tie at the top of the NCU Premier League after Waringstown inflicted a first defeat of the season on Lisburn. Fielding their first choice XI for the first time this season, the defending champions proved they are ready to repel any challengers and their 45 runs victory over the morning leaders was more comfortable than the final margin would suggest.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- BBC News
Malcolm McKeown: Two men found guilty over Waringstown murder
Two men have been found guilty of the murder of Malcolm McKeown in McKeown, 54, was shot as he sat in a BMW parked at the back of a service station in Waringstown, County Down, in August of that O'Brien, 30, from Rectory Road in Lurgan, County Armagh, and Andrew Thomas Kenneth Martin of Bridge Street in Banbridge, County Down, were both found guilty at Belfast Crown Court on other men - Stevie Lee Watson, 36, from Princeton Avenue in Lurgan and 36-year-old Simon Smyth from Hazelgrove Avenue in Lurgan - were both acquitted of murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Martin admitted to "aiding and abetting" Mr McKeown's murder last while the 29-year-old was given an automatic life sentence, his plea was not accepted by the the non-jury Diplock trial, the assistant state pathologist said the victim died from bullet wounds to his head and body and was hit by at least six pathologist said it was "quite possible" the muzzle of the weapon had been pressed against the victim's was also heard that Mr McKeown was involved in a feud with a criminal organisation known as 'The Firm'.Two young boys out riding their bikes found Mr McKeown's to follow.
