North County pipped Fingal rivals The Hills to second place in Group B and secured the semi-final berth along with group winners Pembroke.

John Mooney’s prolific form with the ball continued as the former Irish international claimed three wickets as Railway Union were dismissed for 178 at Inch – two wickets also for Eddie Richardson and Usman Azhar.

Fakhr Zaman (58) made a half century for the Park Avenue side, while Alan Matthew chipped in with 35.

County lost three early wickets in the chase which wasn’t ideal as they looked to secure not only the win, but as many bonus points as possible.

They were soon back on track though as skipper Eddie Richardson and Malcolm Nofal both made half centuries as they shared an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 131 in 23 overs to seal the seven wickets win and four valuable bonus points.

Nofal hit 9 fours as he top scored with an unbeaten 62 from71 balls, while Richardson cleared the ropes three times and also hit 4 fours in his 52 not out to lead his side into the last four.

The Hills won the battle but lost the war as they finished third in the group despite a 36-run win at home to Terenure.

It all looked to be going to script as Levon Shields powered them to 259 for 8 with a hard hit 112 from just 104 deliveries, which included 14 fours and 2 sixes.

Shields shared a fourth wicket stand of 125 in 24 overs with the in-form Dylan Blignaut who hit 8 fours and 2 sixes in his 73 from 91 balls.

The home side’s hopes to dismiss Terenure cheaply perished on the rocks of Henry Dall, who almost single-handedly denied them the maximum points they craved.

Dall stroked 12 boundaries in a brilliant 97 from 106 balls, as Terenure posted 223 in a brave chase with Mick Cotter striking a breezy 31.

Hills skipper Tomas Rooney-Murphy and Ashley Bain each took three wickets as they battled bravely, but ultimately in vain as they lost out to their fierce rivals.

Phoenix caused a minor surprise as they took advantage of the absence of Pembroke’s quartet of internationals on Lightning duty to win by five wickets chasing 212.

Pembroke skipper Theo Lawson hit 8 boundaries as he top scored with 90, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 118 with Poonish Mehta (55) in their total of 211.

Danish international Oliver Hald picked up three wickets, while there two apiece for Sam Morris, Gordy Millar and Conor Sheil.

Hald then powered Phoenix to victory as he clubbed 5 fours and 3 sixes in a hard-hit unbeaten 51 from just 34 deliveries, sharing an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 71 in ten overs with Louis McDonough (25*).

There were also runs for Adam Chester (38), Callum O’Byrne (27), and William Bennett (23) as they made light of George Dockrell and Tyrone Kane’s absences.

Despite the loss Pembroke remain top and will have home advantage in the semi-finals.

Dublin University finished their campaign on a winning note as they chased 262 to beat Malahide by three wickets in a last over thriller at The Village.

Ryan Hackney scored a century for the hosts, as he and Callum Riches (61) shared a third wicket stand of 152 in their total of 262 for 4.

Fintan McAllister hit a quickfire unbeaten 40 to put Malahide it seem well in control at the halfway stage.

However, skipper Sanil Gupta hit a well made 42 to get the students up and running, and a brilliant 91 from David Cosgrave (11 fours) proved the match winning innings.

Despite two wickets apiece from James Newland. Mohit Sane and Callum Riches, Trinity completed a remarkable chase to win by three wickets with five balls to spare.