Mark Adair shines as CIYMS retain their Twenty20 crown against North Down

The Belmont outfit have continued their fantastic run of form, adding this title to the four they won in last season’s record-breaking campaign which included a one-run victory over Waringstown in the final of the Twenty20 competition.

Batting first, they posted a total of 138/6 with captain Nigel Jones (43* from 26) leading the way while he was ably-supported by John Matchett (41 from 41) and Ireland international Mark Adair (23 from 19).

North Down got their chase off to a solid start with Ruhan Pretorius and Aditya Adey putting on 59 for the first wicket before the latter was caught for 28, becoming the first of three Jacob Mulder (3-31) victims.

With the required runs per over heading towards 14, Peter Eakin (26 from 15) gave the home supporters something to be optimistic about as he hit Mulder for a four and six in consecutive balls, but then mistimed his shot going for another boundary and was caught by Jones.

Pretorius (47* from 57) carried his bat throughout the innings without much rhythm and he wasn’t able to get his side over the line with the target of 139 always looking slightly out of reach, and it proved to be so with Adair (1-9), who was named Man of the Match, bowling an almost perfect final over.

Jones has led CIYMS to an astonishing amount of success and he was confident that their score would be enough given the options they have on the bowling front.

“We are delighted,” he said. “It was something that we talked about when cricket was coming back and that cup would be up for grabs.

“It’s always nice to have something to focus on and fair play to the boys for backing it up. Talking about it is one thing but to actually do it is fantastic.

“There has been a number of big performances and it hasn’t been down to one or two individuals. Different guys have stepped up when we really needed them to.

“We were confident and knew we were always going to have an opportunity with our bowling attack.

“We have eight or nine bowlers there and that gives me plenty of options and then it’s just about picking the right guy at the right time.”

It was Jones’ rapid innings that gave CI momentum heading into their defence and it was yet another big performance from the 38-year-old in a cup final.

“At my age now, I probably need games with that intensity to get me up for it,” he added.

“It helps me focus a bit more and it’s probably the nature of playing for as long as I have.

“I’m just happy I could contribute to another win for the team.”

The result means CIYMS now qualify for another All-Ireland Twenty20 Cup and allows them the opportunity to also defend that title.

They won the competition for the first time in 2019 and Jones will be hoping they can continue adding to their trophy cabinet.

“I think if you go back three or four years, I was pretty keen to get a settled side when I took over the captaincy,” he said.

“We have done that and it was a big focus of mine to have the same guys playing every week.

“We have that core and it means a lot in these big games because you know what everyone is thinking and what they are going through. They are backing each other and that’s crucial.

“I’m really excited about that (All-Ireland).

“We will obviously be focused on winning that again and play some good cricket. The boys will be backing themselves going into that.”

That wasn’t the only final this weekend as Waringstown picked up their first Gallagher Women’s Challenge Cup with a four-wicket victory over defending champions CSNI.

Molly Mathers was named Player of the Match after taking 2-10 before hitting 15 as Waringstown chased down 68 with five balls to spare.

There was no shortage of drama in the LVS Twenty20 Trophy final as Cregagh beat Saintfield in a super over.

With the scored tied after 20 overs, Cregagh went on to be crowned champions after losing their previous three Twenty20 finals.

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