Coleraine Thirds completed an emphatic 206-run victory over Fox Lodge at Ballymagorry to lift the League Five Cup after dominating the two-innings final.
Resuming on 115 for two and already 220 runs ahead overall, the Bannsiders quickly removed any lingering hope the hosts might have had by adding a further 104 runs from the remaining 10 overs.
Player of the Match Amy Caulfield completed an excellent half-century, making 55 from 70 balls, while teenager Ethan Darragh produced an unbeaten 57 from just 39 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.
Nimal Rintu then supplied the late acceleration with an unbeaten 26 from only 12 balls as Coleraine closed on 219 for three, leaving Fox Lodge the formidable task of scoring 324 to win.
In reality, that target always looked beyond them.
Garvin Heywood offered the strongest resistance with 39, while Daniel Salter struck 26 from 15 balls and Noah Edgar made 16, but the hosts were dismissed for 118.
Hannah Skinner was the most successful bowler, taking three for six, while Isaac Smyth and Arundev Rajappan claimed two wickets apiece. Rintu, Caulfield and David Hodges were also among the wickets as Coleraine completed a comprehensive triumph.
The presentations brought a memorable final to a fitting conclusion.
Julian Fowler presented the Player of the Match award to Caulfield, while David Scanlon handed the trophy to Coleraine captain Neil Morrison.
There was also a thoughtful gesture from the winners, who presented the match officials with bottles of wine in appreciation of their efforts over the two days.
Morrison spoke warmly afterwards about Fox Lodge’s commitment to developing young players and suggested their work at grassroots level would stand the club in good stead for the future. He also paid tribute to those behind the scenes who make the two-day finals possible, highlighting how enjoyable the format remains.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the occasion, beyond the cricket itself, was the make-up of both teams.
Youngsters and experienced senior players shared the field alongside female cricketers and players from a range of ethnic backgrounds — even with an Antipodean thrown into the mix!!
At a time when society can too often feel hostile and divided, it was an encouraging reminder of cricket’s capacity to bring people together.
Long may that spirit of inclusion and diversity continue in the sport we love in a modern world that is becoming more poisoned by the day.
LEAGUE FIVE FINAL
Coleraine 3rd XI beat Fox Lodge 3rd XI by 206 runs.
Coleraine 3rd XI 238-5 (30 overs; Neil Morrison 73, Jonathan Elder 59, Ethan Darragh 21, Sachin Varghese 27*, Greg Jordan 24; WR McGarrigle 2-36, Daniel Salter 2-45) and 219-3 (30 overs; Neil Morrison 51, Amy Caulfield 55, Ethan Darragh 57*, Nimal Rintu 26*; Daniel Salter 2-47).
Fox Lodge 3rd XI 133 (28.1 overs; WR McGarrigle 47, GH Heywood 27, Daniel Salter 25*; Nimal Rintu 2-26, Greg Jordan 2-27, Amy Caulfield 4-17) and 118 (25.3 overs; GH Heywood 39, Daniel Salter 26; Isaac Smyth 2-33, H Skinner 3-6, Arundev Rajappan 2-2).
