Ardmore secured a third-place finish in the T20 Championship with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the North West Under-19s at The Bleachgreen.

The experienced Ardmore attack ensured Boyd Rankin's young side never found any real momentum after they were asked to bat first. Runs proved difficult to come by throughout the innings, with the bowlers maintaining tight lines and regularly picking up wickets to restrict the Under-19s to 119 for 5 from their 20 overs.

Mujeeb claimed the prized scalp of in-form Luke Marillier early in the innings, while Matt Cuffe, Akash, Dave Bezzant and Phil Patterson all chipped in with a wicket apiece as Ardmore's disciplined bowling performance laid the platform for victory.

Swarnim Jha top-scored with an unbeaten 24, while Mo Hussain added 21, but the total always looked below par on a good batting surface.

Any hopes the Under-19s had of defending their modest target were quickly dashed despite Lewis Campbell striking in the opening over to bowl Dave Bezzant.

That early breakthrough merely brought together Muhammad Edrees and Kasun Aberaytne, who dominated proceedings with a superb second-wicket partnership of 82 in just eight overs.

Edrees was the aggressor, blasting 44 from only 28 deliveries with five fours and three sixes, taking the game away from the visitors with a series of clean strikes.

Aberaytne provided the perfect foil, continuing his outstanding season with an unbeaten 50 from 34 balls, an innings containing seven fours and a six that also took his run aggregate for the campaign beyond the 500 mark.

Sam Haslett claimed two wickets late in the innings, but Ardmore comfortably reached 122 for 3 in only 13.2 overs to wrap up victory.

Although the Under-19s have managed only one victory, awarded by default, their exposure to senior cricket throughout the T20 Championship should prove invaluable for the development of Rankin's talented young squad as they embark on their interprovincial campaign next week.

The competition concludes on Thursday evening when Eglinton travel to Killyclooney knowing victory will secure the inaugural Championship T20 title. Should they fall short, Bonds Glen will be crowned champions after a tournament disrupted by poor weather, the withdrawal of Glendermott and Burndennett, and the absence of official umpires.