CSNI ended a decade-long wait for Challenge Cup glory with a commanding 108-run victory over Instonians at Stormont.

A polished 70 from James West laid the foundations for the hosts’ 258 for nine before their youthful bowling attack dismantled the Premiership champions for 150 to complete an emphatic triumph.

Asked to bat first, CSNI were given an excellent platform by West and Marc Ellison, who added 91 for the opening wicket. Ellison’s measured 39 complemented West’s more adventurous approach before Cian Robertson made the breakthrough.

Ashwin Hebbar then joined West in a fluent stand of 69 which carried CSNI to 160 for one and raised hopes of a total in excess of 300.

Instonians fought back strongly, however, with James Magee removing Hebbar for 46 and then accounting for West, whose 64-ball innings contained eight fours and two sixes.

Robertson struck twice more as CSNI slipped to 183 for five, but Adam Leckey steadied the innings with an important 30. Useful late contributions from Jordan Neill, Harry Dyer and Finn Lutton ensured the hosts reached 258 for nine.

Instonians made a lively start to their reply and were well placed at 93 for one after Sully Gould blasted 34 from only 17 deliveries and David Agnew helped maintain the momentum.

The dismissal of Gould by Lutton changed the complexion of the contest completely.

Neill then removed the dangerous Shane Dadswell for three and bowled Vidhath Geddam for a duck as Instonians’ challenge unravelled.

Agnew top-scored with 35, but once he departed there was no way back.

Leckey capped a fine all-round display by claiming four for 33, while Neill finished with three for 25 as Instonians lost their final eight wickets for only 57 runs.

It was CSNI’s fourth Challenge Cup success and their first since 2016, with West named Man of the Match after playing a central role in a victory built around the club’s emerging generation.

Their attention now turns to next weekend’s Irish Senior Cup final against Pembroke, where another major prize will be within reach.