Another century from James McCollum helped Waringstown maintain their advantage at the Premier League’s summit following a 29-run (DLS) victory over North Down.

Ireland international McCollum struck 118 in last month’s crucial win against reigning champions Instonians and was once again in top form at The Green, scoring exactly 100 from 98 deliveries – his innings included 14 boundaries.

The 30-year-old shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 129 with Graham Hume (69) which set the platform for Waringstown’s total of 233/7 from their 40 overs – all four completed Premier League matches on Saturday were impacted by weather.

Harry Zimmermann (5/55) starred with the ball for North Down and had Waringstown in early trouble at 5/2 before McCollum and Hume helped to steady the ship.

placeholder image — Waringstown's James McCollum scored 100 in his side's win over North Down. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

In reply, the hosts put themselves in position for potential victory with Mohamed Aahil (72) and Michael Erlank (106) putting on 160 for the second wicket, but when the former was caught off the bowling of Hume (3/34), it triggered a North Down collapse.

The Comber outfit were reduced from 182/1 to 225/8 – falling 29 runs short of a DLS-revised target of 259 – with victory ensuring Waringstown remain four points clear at the top.

However, Instonians are hot on their heels following a seven-wicket victory against Laurelvale.

Daryl Henry (39) and Alex Webb (34*) helped the Co Armagh side reach 179 at Shaw’s Bridge, and while that total was never likely going to be enough to trouble Instonians, captain Shane Dadswell (70) and Neil Rock (62) wasted no time in sealing victory.

Dadswell struck his runs from just 17 balls – he hit 12 of those for boundaries, including nine sixes – while Ireland international Rock hit his score from 27 deliveries.

The hosts chased their revised target of 150 in 10.3 overs in a welcome net run-rate boost as they continue hunting main rivals Waringstown.

Meanwhile, Woodvale secured a convincing 10-wicket triumph over Cliftonville Academy at Ballygomartin Road.

The visitors were dismissed for 94 – Evan Carlisle (3/29) picked up the important wicket of professional CP Klijnhans – before Harry Warke (54*) and Francis Collins (29*) raced to the winning target.

Warke struck four sixes during his 30-ball stay at the crease to help Woodvale seal victory inside 8.3 overs.

Elsewhere, CSNI continued their impressive form with a 50-run victory at Stormont against CI.

Ryan Hunter (37) and Jake Collingwood (32) helped the hosts post 210 with Jacob Mulder (3/23) and Sathish Suresh (3/36) starring for CI.

Recent Ireland Test squad call-up Jake Egan (64) shared an opening stand of 61 with Patrick Beverland as CI set a solid platform, but they then fell from 61/0 to 148 all out – Charles Swart (36) was the only other batsman to score more than 12.

Lisburn were sitting on 89/3 when their home fixture against Muckamore was abandoned due to poor weather.

Ireland international Ross Adair (31) and Nikolai Smith (27*) had made early progress before the match was called off with Aditya Adey picking up two wickets for the visitors.