Defending champions Waringstown are in the middle of the chasing pack after a 143-run thumping of Cliftonville Academy at The Lawn. Jamie Gibson top-scored with 96 (10 fours, 3 sixes) as he shared stands of 102 for the third wicket with Morgan Topping (66) and 95 for the fourth with Graham Hume (36) as The Lawn side posted 240 for 5 in 42 overs. Matty McCord (3-44) was the pick of the CA attack, and he was also the best of their batters, in a poor reply. He hit 5 fours and 2 sixes in his 42 out of a total of just 97. Left-arm spinner Ross Allen took six wickets, while Hume claimed 2 for 2 in a parsimonious six-over spell.

Lisburn are eight points clear at the top of the Premier table after a hard-fought, but ultimately comfortable 60-run win over Instonians at Wallace Park. Faiz Fazal scored a gritty half century as Lisburn struggled against the bowling of Dan Rose (5-22) and Ben Rose (4-35). There were vital late runs for Josh Manley who hit 30 from just 17 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes) to get Lisburn up to 154. Manley then bowled Nikolai Smith in the first over of the reply, but Robert McKinley (25) and James Hunter (23) steadied the ship at 40 for 1. The home side though spun their way through the Inst batting to dismiss them for 94, with three wickets apiece for Fazal (3-13) and Matthew Humphreys (3-25).

Cregagh stayed rooted to the bottom of the table after another tough day at the office at home to CSNI. They were skittled for just 55 with only two players managing to reach double figures. Luke Georgeson (3-8) did the early damage, and that was followed by two wickets apiece for Matthew Foster, Troy Johnson, and Adam Leckey, with Harry Dyer claiming the final one. Georgeson went cheaply in the chase, but Troy Johnson hit three sixes in an unbeaten 28, despite batting with a damaged thumb. Seb Yeates also impressed on senior debut, making 18 not out (3 fours) as he and Johnson shared an unbroken stand of 48 as the Stormont side romped home to win by 8 wickets in the tenth over.

Carrickfergus put a serious dent in the title ambitions of CIYMS with a 14-run (DLS) win at Middle Road. Jacques Snyman hit 8 fours and 4 sixes in his 78 from 64 balls, sharing a second wicket stand of 102 with Iain Parkhill (25). When that pair went, Jeremy Lawlor took up the mantle, as he clubbed 6 sixes and 5 fours in a rapid unbeaten 83 from 62 balls, adding 111 for the fourth wicket with CJ van der Walt (33*), as Carrick made 250 for 3 in 42 overs. More rain saw a tough target of 205 in 28 overs, and despite a better than even time half century from Ross Adair (54) they were always struggling to keep up. Keith Dudgeon hit two sixes in a brief cameo, but his run out was decisive. There were two wickets apiece for Alex Haggan, Jacques Snyman and Jeremy Lawlor as CIYMS ended on 190 for 9.

An opening stand of 188 between North Down captain Ali Shields and Ani Chore powered the Comber side to a 96-run win (DLS) over Woodvale at The Green. Both openers scored 91 with Shields hitting 8 fours and a six in his 118 balls, while Chore was slightly slower, hitting one boundary less in his 132–ball stay. Neil Brand (38) and Tom Mayes (18) added late runs as they ended on 271 for 6. Ruhan Pretorius finished the innings on a high, taking a hat-trick from the last three balls, dismissing Tom Mayes, Ryan Haire, and Craig Young. Pretorius was best with the bat as they chased a revised 258 in 45 overs, top-scoring with 68, before he fell to Ali Shields, who completed a fine all-round day by taking 5 for 23 in the comprehensive win.

Carrickfergus had little trouble accounting for Cliftonville Academy as they won by 9 wickets chasing a modest 134 target. Batting first, CA reached 60 for 1 thanks to Dom Hendricks (39) and Johnny Terrett (23). However the wheels came off with four wickets for CJ van der Walt (4/21) and three for Alex Haggan 3/13) as they slumped to 133 all out. Michael Gilmour (4) went cheaply in the reply, but Jacques Snyman hit an unbeaten 79 from just 64 balls (10 fours, 4 sixes) as he added 129 for the second wicket with Iain Parkhill (24*) as the comprehensive win was sealed in the 20th over.

Luke Georgeson put a serious dent in Waringstown's hopes of defending their title as CSNI edged out the Lawn side by 9 runs at Stormont. Georgeson top-scored with 85 from 89 balls (6 fours,1 six) as the home side posted 195 for 7 in a contest reduced to 32 overs per side. There were two wickets apiece for Greg Thompson, Kyle McCallan and Jamie Gibson. James McCollum's half century and 46 from Graham Hume seemed to be winning the game, but three wickets for Ben Adair stalled the chase and CSNI held their nerve to clinch the nine-run win.

Jack Beattie was the surprise hero for CIYMS who kept their title ambitions very much alive with a 48-run win over Woodvale, Beattie top-scored with 70 at better than a run-a-ball (10 fours, 1 six) as the Belmont side posted 247 for 9. While Ross Adair fell for just 4, the depth, quality and solidity of the batting was evident with runs for John Matchett (46), Keith Dudgeon (36) and skipper Nigel Jones (23). Ruhan Pretorius took 3 for 20, and he was to the fore with the bat too, as he hit 14 fours and 2 sixes in his 96 from 87 balls. At 143 for 2 Woodvale looked on course for a shock, but once Pretorius went, they faltered to 199 all out - Aditya Adey the last wicket to fall for 49.

Lisburn stay top of the table after they once again won a tough looking fixture away at North Down. They won in some style too after an impressive batting effort saw them post 238 for 9, despite losing Faiz Fazal for 0 - one of four wickets for Tom Mayes (4/31). Johnny Waite top scored with 62, while there were excellent contributions too for Glenn Halliday (46) and Matthew Humphreys (45), The North Down chase never got going in spite of a valiant effort by Neil Brand, with the South African making 86 (11 fours, 2 sixes) out of their 145 - two wickets apiece for Fazal, David Simpson, Neil Whitworth and Mark Berry in a comprehensive 93-run win.

Instonians were the biggest winners of the day as they beat Cregagh by a whopping 254 runs. Instonians total of 345 for 4 was based around a second wicket stand of 257 between Robert McKinley and Cade Carmichael. McKinley top-scored with 164 for 147 deliveries, hitting 18 fours and 6 sixes in his wonderful knock. Carmichael's even time 115 included 15 fours. In reply Cregagh were bundled out for 94 on a tough day at the office. Left-arm spinner Cian Roberston had a five-wicket haul, while James Magee took 3 for 28.

Lisburn stayed top of the Premier League as they beat both Woodvale and the elements at a blustery Wallace Park. It didn't look as if that would be the case as they lost openers Faiz Fazal and Jonathan Waite without scoring to set the hearts fluttering. Lisburn though have depth, quality and resilience in spades this year and once again they found a way to win. David Miller (48) and Neil Whitworth (22) both played vital knocks, but with three wickets apiece for Stephen Bunting and Paul Robinson, they were still in the mire at 118 for 8. However a 9th wicket stand of 46 between David Simpson (36) and Mark Berry (18*) enabled them to finish on 174 for 9 in 45 overs. Mark Berry (4-12) then blew away the Woodvale top order and from 14 for 4, with Ruhan Pretorius absent on Knights duty there was no way back. Carl Robinson (36) delayed the inevitable but they eventually were dismissed for just 78 - Lisburn 90-runs winners on DLS.

Jacques Snyman's century kept Carrickfergus very much in the hunt for the top half finish as they edged out CSNI by 12 runs (DLS) at Middle Road. Snyman hit 9 fours and 8 sixes as he hit a typically belligerent 113 from just 61 balls, powering Carrick to 279 for 7. There was excellent support throughout the innings as he shared stands of 78 with Jeremy Lawlor (36) and 91 with Craig Averill (44). Andrew Cowden with three wickets and Luke Georgeson two were the most successful of the CSNI attack. Rain reduced the target to 223 in 35 overs and the Stormont side gave it a real go, and almost won thanks to a century from Troy Johnson. He smashed 8 fours and 4 sixes in his 103 from 74 balls, before being run out in the final over. Luke Georgeson (37) and Stuart Thompson (25) were also in the runs in an entertaining match. Snyman picked up three wickets, while there were two for Dan Kearsley in the hard-fought win.

Centuries from Chris Dougherty and overseas professional Keith Dudgeon propelled CIYMS to a comprehensive 121-run (DLS) win against Cliftonville Academy at Belmont. Batting first the hosts piled up 315 for 6, with opener Dougherty doing what he does best, anchoring the innings, providing the powerful middle-order with the perfect platform for a late surge. He and Jack Beattie (24) shared an opening stand of 50, while he also shared a fourth wicket stand of 89 with Dudgeon. 'Doc' hit 10 fours and a six in his 104 from 117 balls, before being dismissed in the 40th over. Dudgeon then took centre stage as 101 came in the last ten overs, dominating stands of 60 in six overs with Jason van der Merwe (10) and 41 in four overs with Allan Coulter (17*). Dudgeon's unbeaten 124 occupied just 62 deliveries and contained 13 fours and 5 sixes as the beleaguered CA attack wilted in the tough conditions. The revised chase of 277 in 40 overs never got going as CA managed just 155, and that was primarily due to the efforts of South African pro Dom Hendricks, who top scored with 74 (10 fours). Only Richard Hood (20) and Johnny Terrett (15) also made double figures in the one-sided contest. Coulter and Dudgeon each took three wickets, while Angus Farrell took two scalps in the 121-run verdict.

Defending champions Waringstown showed their strength in depth as they shrugged off the absence of a host of first team regulars to beat admittedly an also understrength Instonians by eight wickets in another match badly hampered by the elements. Making first use of The Lawn track, Inst were rocked by two early blows with Jack Dickson and Nikolai Smith departing with just nine on the board. They set about repairing the damage as James Hunter (46no) and James Mecalfe (28) shared a third wicket stand of 76 before yet again their weather intervened. Their total of 87 for 3 in 22 overs was revised upwards to give the home side a target of 118 in 22 overs. James Magee (2-19) and James Hunter (1-14) again struck early, and at 40 for 3 the visitors would have been hopeful. However their aspirations were extinguished in a fourth wicket stand of 64 in 69 balls between Jamie Gibson and Greg Thompson. Gibson hit seven fours in his undefeated 54 from just 50 balls, receiving excellent support from Greg Thompson (25) as Waringstown won with 11 balls to spare to keep in Lisburn's slipstream.

North Down eased to a seven wickets win at Cregagh as they had little difficulty chasing a revised target of 165 in 32 overs. The victory was set up by a second wicket stand of 126 in 20 overs between Neil Brand and Ani Chore, who both made half centuries. Brand top scored with 74 from just 63 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes), while Chore's 53 included 4 fours and a six, as the victory was achieved in the 28th over. Earlier four wickets for Tom Mayes (4-24) had Cregagh in trouble at 68 for 5, but they rallied thanks to 52 not out from Craig Boultwood (5 fours), who shared a sixth wicket stand of 59 in ten overs with Joe Moore who hit 4 fours and two sixes in a run-a-ball 40. Adam McCormick (25) added late runs to bring Cregagh up to 196 for 9 in 43 overs, but it was never likely to be enough against a powerful Comber batting line-up.

It's shaping up to be one of the most competitive Premier League title races in years, after defending champions Waringstown edged out North Down by ten runs at Comber. The win takes The Lawn side into a four-way tie for second place, one win behind early pace setters Lisburn. Batting first, Waringstown looked to be building towards a total of 300 as second wicket stand of 131 in 28 overs between Morgan Topping and James McCollum took them to 148 for 1 in the 33rd over. Topping hit five boundaries as he top scored with 68, while McCollum made 66. However, the innings was derailed in the search for quick runs as they slumped to 211 all out - three wickets for skipper Ally Shields and two apiece for Peter Eakin and Ryan Haire. The chase saw the North Down innings following a similar pattern, with Shields (55) and Peter Eakin (65) scoring half centuries in a stand of 72 as the home side reached 136 for 2 in the 38th over. However, left-arm spinner Ross Allen (3-40), who had earlier dismissed Neil Brand (19) accounted for both and that opened the door. Jamie Gibson followed up his wicket of opener Ani Chore (19) with three more, including number 11 Drew Parker with North Down ten runs short. Kyle McCallan (2-34) also got in on the act in a win which could prove decisive come the end of the campaign.

Carrickfergus won the closest NCU game of the day as they chased 200 to beat Instonians by three wickets at Shaw's Bridge. Inst' were indebted to the in-form Cade Carmichael as he top scored with 72 from 87 balls (5 fours, 1 six) in their total of 199. James Rose (32), James Metcalfe (26) and Cian Robertson (20*) - making a welcome return after a dislocated shoulder - all chipped in to get them close to the 200. Leg-spinner Craig Averill took 4 for 37, while Ashwin Shetty (3-28) was again in the wickets. Jacques Snyman as usual got the Carrick reply off to a fast start as he struck 10 fours and a six in a run-a-ball 69, but his dismissal at 110 for 4 would have caused a few jitters in the Carrick ranks. These were soon eased as CJ van der Walt (67) and skipper Michael Gilmour (34) shared a fifth wicket stand of 75 to put them very much in the ascendancy. James Magee (4-26) took four wickets as the visitors wobbled as the finishing line came into sight, and it took a few lusty blows from Ben Cave (14*) to clinch the three wickets win in the 48th over.

Marc Ellison starred with the bat as CSNI put a serious dent in the title ambitions of CIYMS with a 113-run win at Belmont. A second wicket stand of 115 in 25 overs between Troy Johnson (74) and Paddy Beverland (49) gave the Stormont side the perfect platform. Ellison, the former Under 19 New Zealand international, took full advantage as he hit 7 fours and cleared the ropes six times in a powerful knock, just missing out on a deserved century. He fell for 97 from only 60 deliveries - one of four wickets for Keith Dudgeon (4-42). Skipper Stuart Thompson was also to the fore in a hard-hit 41 as CSNO posted an imposing 305 for 6. A CIYMS side missing the two Adairs, Graham Kennedy and Nigel Jones was always going to find such a chase daunting, and so it proved. Chris Dougherty and James Cameron-Dow did both score 50s in a third wicket century stand, but scoreboard pressure told as they were bowled out for 192. Overseas professional Troy Johnson picked up 3 for 27, while there were two wickets apiece for Finn Lutton and Ben Adair in the comprehensive win.

Lisburn's excellent season continued as they demolished Cregagh to go top of the Premier League. The Belfast side has struggled in the top flight and that continued at Wallace Park as they were dismissed for just 60 by the relentless Wallace Park attack. Only Craig Boultwood and Satish Suresh managed double figures, as they scored 12 apiece in a hard day at the office. Neil Whitworth and Mark Berry claimed three wickets apiece, while there was a brace for Faiz Fazal. Fazal had a rare failure with the bat, dismissed for just four, but given the modest target there were no nerves as Jonathan Waite struck five boundaries in a rapid 21, as they coasted to a seven wickets win in the 14th over.

Woodvale gained their fourth league win of the campaign as they made light of a potentially tricky target to chase 198 and win by seven wickets. South African professional Dom Hendricks top-scored with 75 and Neil Cahill chipped in with 35 as CA posted 198. Leg-spinner Carl Robinson was to the fore as he unveiled his full repertoire of wiles to claim a six wickets haul. Any nerves that Woodvale had were quickly soothed as they made light of their target despite the absence of the talismanic Ruhan Pretorius, who was on Warriors duty. James Hall (33) and Wayne Horwood (37) both scored freely, and the comfortable win was ensured with an unbroken fourth wicket stand between Ronan Restieaux (60*) and skipper Stephen Bunting (32*).

Mark and Ross Adair shared a third wicket stand of 151 in 148 balls as CIYMS ran up the highest total of the day - 315/9 against a beleaguered Instonians. Mark hit 12 fours and 2 sixes in his 107 from 89 balls, while Ross was a little more sedate, his 101 taking 111 deliveries, also hitting 12 fours, and clearing the ropes three times. Graham Kennedy hit 31, while there were 20 apiece from Nigel Jones and Chris Dougherty. Inst in reply were never in contention as Jacob Mulder claimed five wickets as they were bowled out for 163. Cade Carmichael top scored with 41, while Nikolai Smith, Andy White and James Shannon all made 26.

North Down went top thanks to a hard fought four wicket win at Carrickfergus. Three wickets apiece for Tom Mayes - including Jacques Snyman for 0 - and Paul Stirling, plus two for Neil Brand saw Carrick dismissed for 146. Four wickets for Michael Armstrong saw North Down in all sorts of strife at 53 for 6, but Neil Brand top scored with 80 not out, sharing an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 95 with Stuart Nelson (26*) to seal the win on a track where batting was a challenge.

Champions Waringstown showed they aren't going to relinquish their crown easily with a 141-run demolition of high flying Lisburn. A solid batting effort saw contributions from Jamie Gibson (43), Graham Hume (34), Greg Thompson (32*), James McCollum (29) and Ross Allen (28*) in their 202 for 6. Hume claimed the prize scalp of Faiz Fazal for just 2, and the Lisburn heads dropped - 61 all out, with four wickets for Gibson and two for Allen.

Ruhan Pretorius (80) and James Hall (66) both hit half centuries as Woodvale beat Cregagh by 97 runs. Hall shared stands of 76 with Harry Warke (30) and 85 with Pretorius as Woodvale made 277 - four wickets for Charlie Shannon and three for Danny Cooper. Craig Boultwood's 46 was the best of the Cregagh reply as they were 180 all out - four wickets for Aditya Adey (4-18) and three for Ferhan Saeed (3-32).

Biggest winners of the day were CSNI as overseas professional Troy Johnson made quite an impact on debut. He hit 67 as he and Paddy Beverland (71) added 132 in 29 overs for the second wicket against Cliftonville Academy. That gave the perfect platform for skipper Stuart Thompson (64) and Marc Ellison (30) who both hit three sixes as they added 61 in six overs to take CSNI to 273 for 5. Johnson then took 7 for 13 as CA went from 46 for 1 to 81 all out - CSNI winning by 192 runs.