Steve Stolk reflects on 'brilliant' Waringstown spell after signing off with sensational century
Steve Stolk signed off his debut NCU campaign before returning to South Africa by blasting a sensational 155 as Waringstown moved one step closer to winning the Premier League title.
Overseas professional Stolk has been a revelation in his first season in local cricket at The Lawn, bringing his league run tally to 629 with a third century of the summer, while he surpassed 1,000 across all competitions.
The 20-year-old, who represented his country at the U19 World Cup in 2024, shared an opening stand of 250 with Adam Dennison (90) during Saturday’s emphatic 217-run win over North Down.
It means Greg Thompson’s side are now four points clear of Lisburn with two matches left to play - and also hold a superior net run-rate – in their bid to reclaim the Premier League crown.
Stolk returns home this week to begin preparations for his campaign in South Africa and reflected fondly on his Northern Irish experience.
"It has been brilliant,” he told the club’s social media channel. “There’s a lot of work that goes in and it’s great to spend the season at a good club and do well.
"I’ll be taking that confidence into the season back home.
"I adapted to the conditions over here and the wickets at Waringstown have been very good, so credit to the ground staff.
"I started the season at four and then have opened since Sam (Topping) got injured. I’ve been taking bits from people saying different things and trying to define the best way for me to score as many runs as possible.
"The standard of the team and the quality we have is incredible. I’ve been shocked when I came over here, I didn’t expect the team to be that good, we have a lot of class players.”
Only Instonians all-rounder Shane Dadswell (52) has registered more sixes than Stolk (50) this season while he departs with the best strike-rate of any player in the Premier League, scoring his runs at 171.39.
"It’s very easy to bat with somebody like Steve who scores quickly,” said opening partner Dennison. “I had it earlier in my career with Jimmy Hall where it takes all the pressure off you.
"When somebody strikes a ball like that, not only for me batting with him, but for everybody else coming in after him, it just lays such a platform.
"It’s phenomenal, the way he strikes the ball is unreal and it’s great to watch from the other end.
"There have been loads of really good pros in the league and there still is, but in terms of ball striking, he’s right up there at the very top.
"We’re hoping he has a brilliant season back home, but not too good because we'd love to see him back here next year! There’s no doubt bigger and better things lie ahead for Steve.”
Elsewhere, Mark Thornbury’s century inspired Laurelvale to their maiden league win of the season with a five-wicket triumph at Woodvale.
Lisburn kept their title dream alive by beating CSNI while defending champions Instonians just about remain in the mix after defeating Muckamore by three wickets – Dadswell (99) led from the front once again.
CI beat Cliftonville Academy by 31 runs at Belmont.