Waringstown have hit the front in the exciting race for the Premier League title with victory over Muckamore and Woodvale’s controversial defeat by Lisburn.

The top two are level on points but Waringstown have a match in hand over Woodvale and a better net run rate, boosted by their 73 runs victory over the Challenge Cup winners yesterday.

The Villagers were already well placed when they were 162 for three after 32 overs but despite losing James McCollum next ball for 86, Morgan Topping and Graham Hume added another 174 in the remaining 18 overs.

Topping reached his century in the final over, from just 64 balls, with nine fours and five sixes, while Hume finished 77 not out from 63, which included nine fours and two sixes.

Muckamore were still on course in the 24th over at 156 for two but James Mitchell struck twice in the space of five balls to remove Ben Calitz and Jason van der Merwe and, after that, never threatened to get closer.

Unfortunately, the umpires took centre stage at Ballygomartin Road in what could be termed a very appealing game.

The first incident occurred immediately after the first of four rain interruptions when Glenn Halliday was given out lbw. However, he immediately showed his bat to the umpire. Remarkably, the umpire then consulted his colleague at square leg, who said he had heard two noises, with the ball also hitting the top of his glove. Despite their being no recourse for an official review, the umpire changed his mind and allowed Halliday to continue his innings. Halliday added another 16 runs and took the fourth wicket partnership with Faiz Fasal from 56 to 99.

There was further uproar after the dismissal of the NCU’s leading run-scorer, Woodvale’s Ruhan Pretorius. At first it appeared as if the umpire was not going to uphold Matthew Humphreys’ appeal for a catch behind but as the Lisburn appeal went on an on, the umpire finally raised his finger and gave Pretorius out. This time’s the batter’s plea that he had not touched the ball fell on deaf ears.

With Pretorius out for 32, it left Woodvale on 132 for four in the 24th over, and further rain interruptions halted the morning leaders’ progress as the Lisburn bowlers kept taking wickets. Their final target was 226 in 38 overs but the game was called off after 32 with Woodvale 48 runs behind the par score.

Cliftonville Academy stormed into third place, just four points behind, but like Woodvale with just two matches remaining. They hit the depleted North Down attack – professional Kevin Mungroo has gone home – for 337 for five with 103 coming from the last six and a half overs.

Kian Hilton top scored with 122and shared a third wicket stand of 183 with Varun Chopra but the mayhem came after Hilton’s dismissal with skipper Matthew McCord hitting 32 off 16 balls and Jared Wilson an astonishing 55 from 17 with four fours and five sixes.

Alistair Shields replied with 87 but McCord hurried the innings to a conclusion, taking four of the last five wickets that fell for 28 runs.

At the bottom, Civil Service North’s victory over Carrickfergus confirmed their place in the top flight next season and left the losers four points adrift of CIYMS at the bottom with three games to play. The teams meet at Middle Road next Saturday.