Carson the hero as CI edge one-wicket thriller

Veteran Neil Carson produced a superb all-round display as CI 3rd XI held their nerve to beat Lisburn 4th XI by one wicket in a dramatic contest.

Lisburn posted 198 for nine from their 40 overs, recovering impressively from a difficult start which saw them slump to 36 for four.

Alexander Magee led the recovery with 49 from 41 balls, including four fours and two sixes, before Andrew Brown struck three sixes in his 28.

Josh Thompson then played a crucial unbeaten innings of 37, while Ben Magee's 23 helped Lisburn reach a competitive total.

Carson had earlier made his mark with the ball, taking two for 12 from five overs, while Tom Martin, Zach Braithwaite and Jacob Trigg also claimed two wickets apiece.

CI's pursuit was anything but straightforward. They slipped to 66 for five before Alan McGonigle and Carson transformed the contest with a vital sixth-wicket partnership of 60.

McGonigle struck 35 from 28 balls, including three sixes, but it was Carson who became the central figure in a tense chase.

The experienced skipper made 56 from 63 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six, and took CI to within touching distance before falling with the score on 195 for nine.

That left Jacob Trigg and Zach Braithwaite to negotiate a nerve-shredding finish.

The pair kept their composure to scramble the remaining runs, CI sealing victory with just four balls remaining.

Carson's half-century and economical bowling earned him a thoroughly deserved Man of the Match award.