Thirds make it to Final
 
Waringstown Thirds reached Linsey Minor Cup Final after a superb 56-run
victory over Instonians Thirds on Saturday. 
 Andrew Beattie's side will now meet Waringstown Fourths in the final,
after they remarkably defeated Ballymena at The Gordon Playing Fields on
the same afternoon. 
 In a match where they were looking certain for defeat, the Thirds
managed to grab victory from the jaws of defeat, thanks to the lower
order and a fine bowling display.
Having been put into bat on what looked a good batting wicket,
Waringstown struggled to 102 for eight after 26 overs, with five of the
batsmen getting to double figures and then getting out. 
 At this stage Instonians were on top and already had one eye on the
final. But they did not count on the talents of Andrew Mitchell (81 no)
who stroked the ball to all parts of the ground, and the determination
of Andrew Sinnamon (8) and then Michael Dougan (8) who stood firm when
others had fallen before them. 
 With Mitchell and Sinnamon putting on 61 and then Mitchell and Dougan
putting on 51, Waringstown made it to 214. Although not a score that
they would have hoped for at the start of the innings, the confidence
was high in the Waringstown team when they took the field.
 They then took a series of early wickets to further boost their hopes
with John Percy (3-21) and Sinnamon (0-18)taking the attack to the Inst
batsmen. 
 They were reduced to 39 for three after the first 12 overs. With every
bowling change wickets fell, with only  Wylie (21) and McClure
(31)really showing much resistance. 
 With the introduction of Paddy Currie to the attack, Instonians were
some on the ropes as he took three for 26 and ended all hopes of a
recovery from the lower order. 
 The last wicket was mopped up by Paddy Allen (2-30) and the
celebrations began in earnest.
Unbelievably news began to filter through that in an almost mirror image
game, Waringstown Fourths were on the way to defeating Ballymena Thirds
to book the other place in the final.
Captain Beattie said after the game, "It was a great victory that was
built on a superbly mature innings from the 14-year-old Andrew Mitchell.
It was backed up by a great bowling performance and lived up to how we
have played as team all season. The team really deserves this victory
and the place in the final. It is a great achievement for the club to
get both teams to the same final and is eagerly anticipated."
On Saturday the Thirds are in action in the league against North Down,
still going for the title and promotion.

Thirds into Semi Final
 
For the first time since 2004, Waringstown 3rds have made the semi of
the Minor Cup, accomplished by beating Lurgan 3rds by 55 runs at the
Lawn on Saturday. Winning the toss and electing to bat on an excellent
looking wicket and lightening outfield, the Waringstown batsmen got off
to a great start with Paddy Allen and Josh Hall. When Paddy Allen went
for 27, Hall was joined at the wicket by Stephen Allen. The two young
players excelled in the conditions, batting with great maturity well
beyond their years. It was the bedrock of the innings and set the
platform for what was to come.
Both having made it to drinks then fell in quick succession, Hall for a
magnificent 81 and S Allen for and elegant 31. This brought Andrew
Gardiner and Alan Hamilton to the crease and between them they
accelerated the scoring with some fantastic stroke play to all areas of
the park. This was backed by great running and understanding between the
wickets and allowed Waringstown to post a formidable score of 302 for 6.
Alan Hamilton fell in the last few overs on 42, while Andrew Gardiner
was run out in the last ball scrambling for the single that would have
brought up his century, agonisingly out for 99.
The reply start well for Lurgan as for the first time this season the
opening bowlers did not fire. The batsmen took full advantage as the
theme of bowling too short continued into to the first change. It was
Mark Carpenter (1-26) and 2 wickets from Stephen Allen including that of
Oliver McCollum (58) that started to eat into the Lurgan line up. Paddy
Allen took the important wicket of Venard (55) just as Lurgan were
touching 5 runs per over. But it was the return of Josh Hall in his
second spell that finished Lurgan's chances taking 3 wickets for 14 runs
in the four over spell after his first four overs going for 21. A good
fielding display say John Percy take 5 catches in the outfield as the
ball followed him all day! Lurgan batted the full 50 overs finishing
their innings on 247 for 9.
"A great batting performance set us up for the victory and despite not
bowling to our full potential it is great to have made the semi-finals."
said Skipper Andrew Beattie after the game. "Again with the young
players really making a contribution and with the support of the more
experienced we have an excellent chance to make the final."
Waringstown 3rds will play Instonians 3rds in the semi-final with the
added interest that Waringstown 4ths are in the other semi-final to be
played on the 19th July

It is now three league wins out of three for Waringstown 3rds after another
comfortable 6 wicket win against Muckamore 3rd's at the weekend. It was
again the bowling and fielding that set up the win as the village side were
asked to field first for the 4th time in 5 outings this season. With
Jeffrey Sergent coming in for the absent Andrew Sinnamon, it was again an
excellent spell of opening bowing from Sergent (1-31) and John Percy that
put the pressure on from the off. Wickets fell at regular intervals and
with all bowlers enjoying a good cricketing wicket at the Gordon. There was
spin for both Paddy Allen (1-21) and skipper Andrew Beattie (2-26), but the
pick of the bowlers were again the young guns, Josh Hall continuing his
great form with the ball with 3-6 including 2 wickets in 2 balls to finish
the innings. Nathan Heyburn also bowled with great accuracy finishing with
2-12 off his 7 overs. Muckamore finished on 115 all out, which was never
really enough on what was a good batting track. Waringstown picked off the
runs in 20 overs, with both Josh Hall (19) and Andrew Mitchell (21) looking
composed at the crease, until they both got run out. Andrew Gardiner
rocketed to 28no with some fine, clean hitting to take the villagers over
the line with plenty to spare. "Another good all-round performance saw us
home." Said captain Andrew Beattie after the game. "If we continue in this
vein for the rest of the season, not only will we be successful, but more
importantly we will have the young members of the team contributing in a
significant way each and every week"
Waringstown are away to Saintfield next week.