Academy await Lisburn in Junior Cup final after Seconds power past Saintfield

This was the second attempt at this semi final as the match last Saturday had to be abandoned due to heavy rain. Lisburn, when the game was stopped were 136 for four and well placed. On Sunday, they again batted first and compiled a very good score of 230 but again the match was badly interrupted by rain in mid afternoon.

Jonny Bell, with a break from his international hockey commitments, top scored with 65 while Callum Atkinson had 32 and Dereck Suffern 24. After the long break for rain, Saintfield faced a target of 239 off 45 overs. The Lisburn bowling attack were much too accurate throughout and the game was comfortably won by 160 runs.

Callum Irvine, with his pace, was the pick of the bowlers with three for 20 while Graeme Brown also took three for 26, Callum Atkinson one for 25 and Aaron McKeown also one for 12.

Having beaten Belfast Indian Sports Club, Millpark and Saintfield on their way to the final, the Seconds must be confident of winning the last stage against Academy at Muckamore on Saturday 16 August.

Seconds captain Graham Elliott will be relieved as he missed the semi-final due to a holiday but is now looking forward to a tilt at the trophy last won by Lisburn as far back as 1992.