Scott MacBeth enjoyed the perfect day as he led North West Warriors to victory in their final inter-provincial of the season against Munster Reds.
The Brigade all-rounder, who is the leading run-scorer in the North West this season, hit 75 off 76 balls and then took a career best six-for-22 to spark a stunning collapse by the visitors, who were set to claim a bonus point win and keep alive their hopes of winning the 50-over competition.
Reds captain PJ Moor was also on course to go past his own personal best of 152 — the highest score in the Cup — but MacBeth had him caught at short thirdman from his fourth delivery for 130. The Ireland international, who has yet to play a one-day game for his adopted country, hit 10 fours and 10 sixes either side of going to his century with nine successive singles.
Needing to pass the Warriors’ imposing 292-for-eight in 40 overs to claim the extra point, the Reds were 191-for-three in the 26th over at Moor’s dismissal but they collapsed to 224 all out, giving Warriors the bonus point and their first win of the season.
The result means the title will be decided next Wednesday at Oak Hill when Leinster Lightning need a bonus point win to catch Northern Knights and a chance to overtake the NCU side on run-rate.
The other star batter for the Warriors at Bready was the NCU’s in-form player, Graham Hume.
The South African-born international had posted scores of 102 not out and 53 not out in his last two innings for Waringstown and he took his unbeaten sequence to 234. He hit seven fours and a six and will hope it gets him into the team for Ireland’s next ODI against his fellow countrymen in Abu Dhabi on October 1.
Meanwhile, the North West expect to announce a decision on Friday on who will be playing in the relegation play-off against St Johnston at Bready on Saturday-week.
The ‘process’ was still being followed and, after further consultation with the two clubs involved, Ardmore and Newbuildings — the former allege that their victors fielded an ineligible player in their final Premiership game on Sunday — it is now back with the Cricket Operations Committee.
Scores: North West Warriors 292-8 (G Hume 79 not out, S Macbeth 75, L Doherty 34, S Doheny 26, M Piedt 22; M Frost 3-44, M Weldon 2-35, C Campher 2-55) Munster Reds 224 (36.1 overs, PJ Moor 130, S Modgil 28, M Andrianatos 21; S Macbeth 6-22, C Young 2-32, G Hume 2-39)
Warriors won by 68 runs
Fixtures – Friday (5.30pm): Woodvale v North Down
Saturday (11.30am): Muckamore v Lisburn (11am), CIYMS v Civil Service North, Instonians v Carrickfergus
Section One: Armagh v Cregagh, Belfast v Ballymena, Derriaghy v Templepatrick, Drumaness Superkings, Lurgan v Laurelvale
Long’s Supervalu Section Two (12pm): Burndennett v Strabane