Lisburn open Premier League season in style as NCU clubs return to play

Perhaps the most impressive performance came from Lisburn, who shocked CIYMS at Belmont to run out victors by nine wickets.

New captain Callum Atkinson elected to bowl after winning the toss and would have been happy with the start his side made as David Simpson (3-37) dismissed both John Matchett (17) and CI’s new addition Ross Adair (39) to leave the home side sitting on 58-2.

That’s when Chris Dougherty (41) – now batting at number three – was joined by Irish international Mark Adair (55) and the pair put on a third-wicket partnership of 93 before the former was trapped lbw by Simpson.

Adair fell shortly after as Neil Whitworth picked up his first Premier League wicket and impressive bowling from Mark Berry (3-21) helped limit any damage the talented CI middle order could cause, reducing them to 217-7.

Although only the first game of the season and a long summer ahead, Lisburn’s opening partnership will take some beating as overseas professional Faiz Fazal (109*) and Jonny Waite (79) put on a stand worth 204 to help their side ease to victory.

Fazal – an Indian international – has been one of the standout performers throughout his time in the NCU and started this campaign in supreme fashion, striking nine fours and five sixes during his 120-ball stay at the crease.

He was ably-supported by Waite – who also struck 12 boundaries – and although he was dismissed by James Cameron-Dow, Whitworth joined Fazal to seal an astonishing triumph with 11 overs to spare.

At The Lawn, reigning champions Waringstown kicked their defence off with a five-wicket victory over Woodvale, with new overseas professional Jamie Gibson wasting no time in introducing himself to the home faithful.

The New Zealander picked up five of the first six