Carrickfergus surged up to third in NCU Section One with a crushing 173-run win over Saintfield at Middle Road. 

The hosts piled up 270 for 5, built around a match-winning fourth-wicket stand of 183 between opener Iain Parkhill and skipper CJ van der Walt. Parkhill struck 103, including 11 fours and a six, while Van der Walt blasted an unbeaten 115 from just 73 balls, clearing the ropes five times and hitting 13 fours. 

Saintfield never threatened the chase, folding for 97 in 26.5 overs as Atish Varape claimed 3 for 10 and Ryan Eagleson 2 for 15.

Lurgan climbed to second in NCU Section One, level on points with leaders Bangor, after an 80-run DLS win over Cooke Collegians at Pollock Park. 

Liam Doddrell led the way with 63, striking three fours and two sixes, and shared half-century stands with Jaydee Oliver and Stephen Chambers as Lurgan posted 184 for 5 in 41.1 overs. 

Oliver made 38 and Chambers 28, while Vinoth Srinivasan took 2 for 33. Set a revised 231 in 48 overs, Cooke reached 150, with several batters starting but failing to kick on. 

Doddrell and Darwish Nazari both claimed three wickets.

Bangor’s title hopes suffered a major setback as they crashed to a seven-wicket defeat against Armagh at The Mall. 

The Section One leaders were bowled out for just 90 in 31 overs, never recovering from the early loss of Brodie Harrison for a duck. With Ian Butler absent, the visitors looked vulnerable and Armagh ruthlessly exposed them. 

Michael Hoey led the attack with 4 for 18, while Matthew Wright claimed 3 for 30. Andrew Kirkpatrick made 26 and Johnny Parker 20, but there was little else. 

Armagh eased home on 91 for 3, Samuel Wilson making 30.

Donacloney Mill claimed a commanding seven-wicket DLS win over Cregagh at Cregagh Memorial after a powerful chase led by Lachy Aitken and Ryan Matthews.

Cregagh were bowled out for 180 in 45.5 overs, with Peter Davison carrying his bat for an unbeaten 53 that included four fours and a six. Alastair Watt also made a valuable 50, striking three fours and two sixes, while Stuart Nelson chipped in with 32. Alex Ogle kept Donacloney on top with an excellent 4 for 19, supported by Lewis Goodbarn’s 2 for 24.

Set a revised target of 171 from 43 overs, Donacloney suffered an immediate setback when Shane Warren fell first ball. However, Aitken took charge with a blistering 73 from just 44 deliveries, hitting four fours and six sixes. He shared important stands with Craig Kennedy and Matthews, who finished unbeaten on 53 to complete the win.

Derriaghy breathed fresh life into their survival push with a thumping 60-run DLS win over Templepatrick at The Cloghan. 

Runs were at a premium as they were bowled out for 92 in 43.1 overs, skipper Ross Bailey making 23 and Jonathan Bell 21, with David Kane taking 3 for 15. 

Bailey then turned the match on its head with the ball, claiming 5 for 11, while overseas professional Matt Scoble ripped through the rest with 4 for 21. Templepatrick folded for 33, chasing 94 off 48 overs, as Derriaghy’s third win lifted them to eighth.