Fox Lodge, Brigade, Muckamore and Donemana are through to the Ulster Plate semi-finals after a dramatic quarter-final programme packed with collapses, five-wicket hauls, DLS calculations and one notable debut story.

At Ballymagorry, Fox Lodge advanced with a five-wicket DLS victory over CI, thanks largely to Adam Walker’s destructive spell and Charlie Simpson’s calm hand in the chase.

CI looked well placed at 76 for 1 after Adam Maitland’s 28 and Jonny Moore’s top score of 34 gave them a solid platform, but Walker ripped the heart out of the innings. His 5 for 24 triggered a slide to 104 for 7, with Luke Hayes adding 2 for 25 to keep the pressure on. Late runs from Zac Solomon, unbeaten on 24, and Ryan Armstrong, who made 20, helped CI reach 174 all out in 31.3 overs.

Fox Lodge were rocked early when Craig Doherty fell to Ben Snell, who went on to take 3 for 26, but Simpson stood firm. His unbeaten 64 anchored the reply, with Jordan Cochrane, Hayes and Swarnim Jha lending support as the hosts reached their revised target in the 31st over.

Brigade were equally convincing at the Bleachgreen, seeing off Ardmore by 63 runs on DLS.

Nick Gray was the key figure with the bat, striking 69 in Brigade’s 195 for 8 from 37 overs. William Finlay’s 32, captain Jay Scott’s 27 and Christopher Dixon’s 22 also proved valuable, particularly after Muhammad Edrees had threatened to drag Ardmore back into the contest with 4 for 35.

Ardmore’s reply had promise at 84 for 3, with Gibi Babu making 31 and Edrees 23, but the innings fell apart in brutal fashion. Three wickets went down on 85 and, despite Mathew Rowlands’ 20, they were bowled out for 133. Dixon claimed 3 for 22, Finlay 3 for 27 and Gray completed a fine all-round display with 2 for 31.

Muckamore produced the most emphatic win of the round, crushing St Johnston by 128 runs.

Captain Philip Skillen led the charge with an unbeaten 82 as Muckamore piled up 237 for 5 in their 40 overs. Jude Keates made 37, Peter Kane 26 and Jamie Magowan a brisk 38 to leave St Johnston facing a demanding chase.

David Lapsley carried his bat for a defiant unbeaten 61, but he was left stranded as wickets tumbled around him. Neil McCurry took 2 for 13 before John Kirkpatrick tore through the lower order with a devastating 6 for 38.

At The Lawn, Donemana held off Waringstown by 12 runs in the tightest contest of the round. Olly Britton’s 72 laid the foundation for Donemana’s 224 for 7, before unbeaten late blows from Gary Neely (40) and Christopher Neely (34) proved decisive.

Waringstown fought hard through Robbie McCollam’s 40, Michael Waite’s 33 and James Mitchell’s unbeaten 50, but Christopher Neely’s 3 for 43 sealed Donemana’s passage.

There was also a landmark moment for Waringstown, with teenagers Abbie Harrison and Penny Speer making their men’s debuts — Speer marking the occasion with 2 for 25.