Waringstown and Instonians remain on course for a repeat of last year’s NCU Challenge Cup final after the teams were kept apart in the semi-final draw.

The games are a repeat of the last two finals in the 2010s with Waringstown facing Civil Service North and Instonians meeting CI.

Holders Waringstown were last out of the hat, so must travel to Stormont, nine days after the teams meet there in a 20-over game in the Premier League after the original match was rained off earlier this month.

A stunning 30-ball century by Steve Stolk made a mockery of their 114-run target in Sunday’s Cup quarter-final, while the CSN opening bowling attack of Michael Rae and Adam Leckey were particularly impressive as they defended 194 with some comfort at Muckamore.

Waringstown will not have to face Rae as CSN’s first-choice overseas player Ashwin Hebbar is due back next week.

Instonians also had a big-hitter in the quarter-final with an astonishing innings of 182 from 71 balls by Sully Gould as last year’s beaten finalists topped 400 against Carrickfergus. They have another home draw in the semi-final against a CI side they defeated in the League on Saturday at Belmont.

Next day, CI eased past Laurelvale to return to  the semi-final stage for the first time since 2022 when they went on to lift the Cup for the third successive time and a fifth success in seven years.

Draw:

Instonians v CI, 

CSNI v Waringstown.

Games to be played on Sunday July 12.