Instonians target play-off spot

The Shaws Bridge side have won two of their four Robinson Services Cup games to date with Saturday’s 10-run victory over favourites CI adding to an opening day win over Waringstown, leaving them sitting four points behind fourth-placed CSNI.

Four teams will secure their place in the play-offs after the regular season ends on August 29 so every match from now is of the utmost importance for Instonians, starting with today’s home clash against Woodvale.

Andrew White’s side have played all of the current top four sides in the league and now face a run against Woodvale, Lisburn and Carrickfergus, with the latter two also facing off today.

Batsman Nikolai Smith has been key to both victories picked up by the Belfast outfit this season, scoring 35* against CIYMS and 58* in the Waringstown triumph.

The 27-year-old, who usually opens in 50-over cricket, has been pushed down the batting order this season to give more opportunities to younger players, but his impact is still clear.

“The temptation all year has been to push him further up the order,” said White.

“I think he has understood and has been part of the planning in terms of making sure we maximise the opportunities for the younger players so that maybe in a year or two they are in a better place to perform more consistently.

“He has played his part in the victories that we have had and that’s been really encouraging from his point of view.”

Another player that will be key to their play-off hopes is fast bowler James Magee, who picked up figures of 3-21 last weekend.

Instonians have an impressive attack with the likes of Shane Getkate and White himself bringing experience and quality, and the skipper says there is now a full trust in anyone he throws the ball to.

“He’s bowling well,” added White when asked about Magee.

“He’s one of those guys that is probably under-rated – not by those at the club but around the circuit.

“He went through a difficult patch a couple of years ago but he has won a lot of games for us over the years.

“He’s somebody that I trust to throw the ball to, like all of the bowlers on Saturday. There was probably a period where the trust wasn’t there but that’s gained through performances and they are all performing with the ball.

“It’s pretty straightforward captaining in the field at the moment because of their ability to lead when they have the ball in their hand. That has been a big plus for this season.

“Of course anybody on their day can go around the park, but as long as they are clear on what they want to do it makes my job easier.”

White is also Chair of National Men’s Selectors at Cricket Ireland and he watched on with delight as Ireland recorded a famous seven-wicket victory over England this month.

“It was a hugely satisfying way to finish,” he said.

“The key thing from the squad’s perspective is that they have progressed from game one through.

“Speaking to the players, they were disappointed with the way we batted in games one and two but it was a great way to finish the series. It was a world class chase and a superb performance because England kept trying to come hard at us and we kept taking wickets.

“Stirling and Balbirnie were world class and we showed that on our day we are capable of beating the big teams, and I suppose it doesn’t come any bigger than England in England at the minute.”