Carrickfergus moved to the top of Section One with just one match remaining after holding their nerve to edge Cooke Collegians by nine runs in a tense contest.

Carrick posted a competitive 247 for seven from their 50 overs, built around half-centuries from Atish Varape and skipper CJ Van der Walt.

Varape top-scored with 66 from 68 balls, striking 11 fours, while Van der Walt made 50 from 64 deliveries. Ben Martin gave the innings early impetus with 32 and Iain Parkhill contributed 27 before Alex Haggan’s late 19 helped push the total towards 250.

Prince Sharma was Cooke’s most successful bowler with three for 44, while Abdul Haseeb claimed two wickets.

Cooke remained firmly in the contest throughout their reply, with Sharma completing a fine all-round display by making 48 before Haggan bowled him at 144 for four.

Bibin Babu then threatened to take the game away from Carrick with 56 from 90 balls, while Billy Foster’s 33 and Jasmeet Singh’s late 20 kept the pressure on.

Carrick, however, continued to find wickets at crucial moments. Haggan led the attack with three for 40, while Anthony Martin and Van der Walt claimed two wickets apiece.

Cooke entered the final overs still with a chance, but the pressure told and they were eventually dismissed for 238 with one ball remaining.

The victory takes Carrickfergus to the Section One summit with their destiny now firmly in their own hands and just one fixture left to negotiate at Lurgan in what promises to be a dramatic finish to the promotion race.