Ballyspallen created North West cricket history at Castle Avenue as they thrashed Glendermott by 162 runs to become the region’s first winners of the Irish National Cup.

Glendermott captain Ted Britton’s decision to ask their local rivals to bat first will inevitably come under scrutiny after Ballyspallen piled up an imposing 282 for four from their 40 overs.

Britton would have been encouraged when Pushpender Singh was run out without scoring with only 11 on the board, but thereafter Ballyspallen took complete command.

Man of the Match Hassan Shahid and Sri Lankan overseas professional Raveen Yasas added a superb 172 for the second wicket in 25 overs to put the Limavady based side firmly in control.

Shahid struck 12 boundaries in a composed 91 from 99 deliveries, while Yasas was the more fluent of the pair, hitting 11 fours in his 75 from 73 balls.

There was no respite when they departed. Graham Kennedy continued the assault with 43 from 37 balls before Curtis McElwee provided the late fireworks, smashing an unbeaten 44 from just 26 deliveries, including three sixes.

Faced with a daunting chase, Glendermott never threatened.

Michael O’Brien removed Blayde Capell for 16 and Ben Mills for 15 before the Kennedy brothers took centre stage.

Stephen Kennedy claimed two for 23 and captain Stuart Kennedy picked up one wicket, but it was Graham Kennedy who dismantled the middle and lower order with an outstanding four for 11 from seven overs.

The three brothers therefore shared seven wickets as Glendermott collapsed to 120 all out.

Only unbeaten Craig Averill, with 40 from 68 balls, offered prolonged resistance, while Harry Boyd’s 13 was the only other contribution to reach double figures after the early dismissals.

Raveen Yasas fittingly completed the rout by taking the final wicket.

It capped a landmark day for Ballyspallen and North West cricket, with the trophy heading to the Limavady area after one of the most emphatic National Cup final performances.