Khan clobbers CIYMS, butit’s all in vain because of rain

The rain has already scuppered their Irish Cup hopes which ended in a bowl-out farce to Dubliners Railway Union.

And on Saturday the villagers were in a mighty strong position against CIYMS in the NCU Challenge Cup semi-final at Belmont.

A brilliant 133 from professional Shaheen Khan, (inset) and a superb half-century from teenager Adam Dennison were key elements in Waringstown’s massive total of 304 for seven in 50 overs.

However, their luck was out as during the tea interval, mostly sunny conditions were replaced by a massive downpour which left much of the ground, and most crucially the wicket itself, under water.

Realistically, there was going to be no chance of further play and the sides will have to do it all again on Sunday, July 20. There was no disguising CI’s relief that the game was washed out, although a shortened match might still have offered them a route back into the game.

The home had actually started well after winning the toss and bowling first with captain Chris Dougherty no doubt having an eye on the weather.,

Stephen Dunn, fortunate to escape with just a reprimand from the umpires after a caught behind appeal against Kyle McCallan was turned down, removed McCallan immediately afterwards and then James Hall edged a beauty from Ross Boultwood behind to leave Waringstown 12 for two.

Lee Nelson batted beautifully for 35 but it was the partnership between Khan and Dennison that put the villagers into such a commanding position.

CI lost all semblance of control and the fourth-wicket pair brought up their century stand in just 93 balls with Dennison giving an exhibition in how to rotate the strike in his 65 from 88 balls.

Khan, regularly peppering the extra cover boundary, reached his century in just 82 balls with his 133 coming in just 95. He struck 10 fours and seven sixes.

Waringstown are in action this weekend with a rearranged Premier League match against Ballymena scheduled for Saturday at The Lawn.

They will be hoping that the poor weather forecast for Saturday proves to be wide of the mark.

The match ball sponsor is Eric Moore.