It was a loss/win for Instonians on Friday night as CIYMS clinched the last place in Sunday’s NCU T20 semi-finals.

With their spot in the last four assured as Group A winners, Instonians fielded an under-strength side and their 32 runs defeat by CIYMS knocked out big rivals Lisburn from the competition.

CIYMS, who will host the semi-finals, face Group B winners Cliftonville Academy in the first match at 11am with Instonians facing Civil Service North at 3pm. The final is at The Lawn on July 27.

When CIYMS chose to bat, the first 13 overs they faced were bowled by James Lambert, Robert Craigan, David Agnew and Jamie Jones. The second-string attack, however, was still good enough to reduce their visitors to 77 for four with Agnew taking three of the wickets for 15 runs in an impressive four-over spell and Jones dismissed Jake Egan for 36 from 24 balls.

Andrew White came on in the 14^th over, Cade Carmichael, captain on the night, bowled two overs of spin and the 19^th over was the only one bowled by Cian Robertson. Professional Shane Dadswell did not turn his arm over.

CI still scored 57 from the last seven overs with skipper John Matchett hitting four sixes in his 45 not out from 33 balls.

Without Nikolai Smith and Neil Rock, the Instonians chase never got going with Carson McCullough taking the wickets of Carmichael and Olly Metcalfe as the home side tottered to 58 for four in the 11^th over.

Dadswell, at No 6, joined Andrew White for the partnership that would decide the outcome. It was ended at 37 when Jacob Mulder bowled Dadswell for 20 off 24 balls and when White (25 off 34) was bowled by Hermann Rolfes five balls later – the end was nigh.

Instonians’ big guns are due back for Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash at home to North Down and Sunday’s T20 semi-final, although White misses the game against his former club.