Glendermott stayed top of the North West Championship table with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Ballyspallen in a dress rehearsal for next month’s Irish National Cup final.

The Waterside side underlined their credentials by chasing 188 in only 28.1 overs, with Ben Mills producing the decisive innings after earlier returning an outstanding spell with the ball.

Ballyspallen were dismissed for 187 in 42.1 overs of the reduced 45-over contest, despite a fine 78 from overseas professional Raveen Yasas. The middle-order batter struck 11 fours and two sixes from 97 deliveries, but lacked sustained support as Glendermott took wickets at regular intervals.

Pushpender Singh gave Ballyspallen a positive start with four boundaries in his 18, while Hassan Shahid made 21 from 42 balls. However, the visitors slipped from 36 without loss to 69 for four as Glendermott seized control.

Graham and Stuart Kennedy made 16 and 17 respectively, but neither could build a substantial partnership with Yasas. The ninth-wicket stand carried the total to 185 before Yasas was dismissed, leaving Ballyspallen all out two runs later.

Alan Johnson was the most successful bowler with three for 30, while Alex Boyd, Lewis Pearson and JJ O’Brien collected two wickets apiece. Mills conceded only 12 runs from his nine overs, which included three maidens.

Glendermott made light work of the target after Blayde Capell and Mills shared an opening stand of 86. Capell struck four sixes in a rapid 39 from 34 balls before he was bowled by Stephen Kennedy.

Pearson maintained the momentum with a brisk 30 from 24 deliveries, including five fours and a six, helping Mills add 49 for the second wicket.

Mills went on to dominate the chase, hitting nine fours and five sixes in a superb 88 from 78 balls. Although he fell with only five runs required, Craig Averil finished unbeaten on 19 as Glendermott eased to victory.

The comprehensive result keeps Glendermott at the summit and gives them an important psychological advantage before the sides meet again with national silverware at stake.