Many congratulations to our 1st XI on winning the Schools’ Cup for a record 12th time, defeating Strabane Academy by 7 wickets at Lisburn Cricket Club.
The game was all but decided in the early stages as the Tyrone side lost two wickets in the first three balls as Adam Leckey truck twice.
A third quickly followed, before Jamie Mutch (17) and Ryan McAuley (12) added 36 for the fourth wicket. Both fell to Alistair Watt, and it was left to Johnny Orr (27) to get his team past 100.
James West (5-18) tore through the middle and lower order to dent any hopes of a comeback.
Cody Mehaffey removed Inst captain Rory Ellerby cheaply, but a second wicket stand of 74 in 10 overs between Josh Eagleson and Tom Crothers (28) all but settled matters.
Aaron Cooke (2-16) struck twice to give the scoreboard some respectability, but Eagleson struck seven boundaries in his 43-ball unbeaten 60, which saw his team over the line in the 16th over.
A great day for all involved, with captain Rory Ellerby collecting the trophy from NCU president Brian Walsh.
Scorecard:
Strabane Academy 101 (24.1 overs) J Orr 27; J West 5-18, A Leckey 2-24
RBAI 105-3 (15.2 overs) J Eagleson 60 not out, T Crothers 28; A Cooke 2-16
RBAI won by seven wickets