CIYMS celebrated their third NCU Challenge Cup triumph in five years on Friday 2nd August 2019. They defeated Instonians by 98 runs in Comber. Half-centuries from Mark Adair and Jason van der Merwe inspired the win.
Both sides have previously reached the final five times this decade and have actually met twice in that run, with CIYMS running out victors on both occasions.
Ireland international, Adair, hit four fours and four-six sixes in his 55-ball knock as he helped the Belmont outfit set Instonians a target of 221 for victory. He shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 110 with Ryan Hunter (39) before lofting Ireland team-mate Shane Getkate to Ben Rose.
This partnership was off the back of van der Merwe’s half-century which began the recovery after his side were 12-3 in only the fifth over.
A fine bowling display from Josh Manley dismantled the top-order and the South African went on to finish with figures of 4-42.
The Instonians reply began in a similar fashion to the first innings. Allen Coulter and Nigel Jones claimed early wickets to reduce the Shaw’s Bridge side to 28-3.
However, a fourth-wicket stand of 62 between Oliver Metcalfe (48) and Getkate (26) offered some sort of hope as they recovered to 90 for three. The latter then departed and Instonians lost their last seven wickets for 33 runs in the 14 overs that followed.
Jones was the pick of the bowlers for CIYMS, finishing with 4-31 off his 10 overs.
Mark Adair of CIYMS was awarded Man of the Match.
CIYMS 220 (O Pienaar 27, J van der Merwe 50, R Hunter 39, M Adair 63, J Manley 4-42, S Getkate 3-38) Instonians 122 (O Metcalfe 48, S Getkate 26, N Jones 4-31, J Mulder 2-17, T Britton 2-9) CIYMS beat Instonians by 98 runs
