Seven NCU sides made it through the first round of the Irish Senior Cup on a day where the bat dominated the ball, with 15 centuries scored, and the competition’s highest total record was broken three times in quick succession!

Ashwin Hebbar was the day’s highest scorer, hitting 15 sixes in an unbeaten 207 as he and Marc Ellison (173) shared a second wicket partnership of 391 against Strabane– an Irish record that had stood for over a hundred years as they racked up a total of 404 for two.

Matthew Kennedy then took seven wickets as the Stormont side won by 248 runs.

Woodvale had three centurions in their ranks – another competition record – as they plundered 428 for five at home to Bready. Ludwig Kaestner, Francis Collins and Harry Warke were the trio raising their bat. Bready in reply made 190.

Instonians' long trek to Munster was worth it as they scored a record 442 for eight. Shane Dadswell did most of the damage, hitting 17 sixes out of the Mardyke ground, many of them landing in the adjacent tennis courts. Cork were dismissed for 174, with three wickets apiece for Matthew Humphreys and Cian Robertson.

Muckamore had two centurions as they dumped out Fox Lodge by eight wickets. Mark Cleghorne and Neil Brand making light work of their 298-run target.

Lisburn were another side who made light of a chase as they had little trouble knocking off 289 to beat Brigade. That was due in no small part to Irish international Ross Adair who hit 12 fours and 6 sixes on his way to 110, dominating a first-wicket stand of 137 in 14 overs with David Miller (31) that set them on their way to a seven-wicket win – runs too for Ben Calitz (73 not out).

Six-times winners Waringstown are out though after they lost to tournament favourites Pembroke. Chasing 300, the Dubliners Tim Tector hit 17 boundaries in an unbeaten 152 as they cruised to an eight wicket win with almost ten overs to spare.

Chris Dougherty’s unbeaten 82 guided CI to a nervy two-wicket win over 2024 winners Phoenix, while Mike Erlank (178) and Mohammed Aahil (135) put on 321 for North Down as they knocked out five-time champions North County by 28 runs in a high-scoring thriller.

Saqib Bahadur took six wickets as Leinster beat Laurelvale by five wickets, while Donemana are the only North West side through. Melvin Deveraj took four wickets as Cliftonville Academy were bowled out for 79, losing by eight wickets.