Waringstown and CSNI meet in the 2008 Challenge Cup Final at Downpatrick and I think most people are hoping for a close contest. Unlike the North West the NCU final is a one innings affair and this adds to the tension. No second chances or jockeying for position on day 1, you have no time for nerves or feeling your way into the match. As the saying goes you must hit the decks running.

In some ways this makes for a much more exciting final and even if it is a one sided affair at least the result isn't dragged out over a second day. What it means though is the captains of the two teams, Simon Harrison of Waringstown and Nigel Jones of CSNI must be clear how they are going to approach the match and have some strategies in place before the action kicks off. Like any battle, plans can go out the window when the first shot is fired so contingencies are a must.

Waringstown are competing in their third consecutive final so the whole experience won't faze them at all. Their route to the final has just about been as straightforward as you can get and they have rarely needed to get out of second gear. They faced Woodvale from Section 2 in the opening match and then in the quarter finals and semi-finals they faced Derriaghy and CIYMS, two sides very likely to be in Section 2 in the not too distant future. A James Hall century helped them cruise to an 8 wicket victory over Woodvale and Derriaghy only managed 69 after a fine spell of 4 for 24 by the skipper. A total of 247 for 3 with another century this time by Kyle McCallan was always going to be too many for CIYMS and Simon Harrison proved it with another fine display with the ball this time taking 5 for 27.

CSNI had a more difficult path to the Meadow. Laurelvale were comfortably brushed aside with a fine batting display by Nigel Jones and Wayne Horwood. The Carrickfergus game was one of those matches, that when you come through it you start to believe that your destiny is to win the cup. Set a target of 144 after excellent bowling by West and Costain it should have been fairly straightforward. Although it was a pitch where you were never quite set it still looked comfortable at 96 for 4. However the CSNI batting line up is only ever a wicket or two away from collapse and when the usually unthreatening Andrew Cowden runs through you then you know it is brittle. 96 for 4 became 106 for 8 and then 123 for 9 but unfortunately for Carrick, Regan West was still there at the end undefeated on 70.

The semi with North Down at the Green was billed as a classic but in the end it was a convincing win for CSNI. Gary Wilson returned from Surrey to score a hundred and along with Regan West made it look easy chasing 254 for victory.

To assess how the final is going to pan out the best place to look is at the respective bowling line ups. Waringstown rely heavily on spin with Internationals McCallan, Kidd and Hall backed up by Lee Nelson. Their seam attack of Harrison, Cheater, Stokes, Morrison and Stuart Kidd means they won't be short of someone to throw the ball.

CSNI have a more potent seam attack with A Internationals Jones and Coulter backed up by Costain and spin is provided by West and Andrews. There is no doubt however that the absence of professional Ewan Thompson leaves a big hole in the CSNI bowling line up. Michael Heaney will provide the bowling back up and no doubt Waringstown will look to exploit this. If they can get after one the main frontline bowlers they can put enormous pressure on the youngster if he has to bowl. Similarly the Waringstown seam attack is not as potent as their spin and if there is some moisture about a wet ball will negate a lot of their advantage.

Ultimately it will come down to the big players and who can produce the goods. West versus McCallan, Jones versus Harrison and Horwood against Hall may be the deciding factors. One thing is for certain, players remember cup finals and someone is going to be a hero.