Rush won the National Cup for a record-extending fourth time with a convincing 126-run over Strabane at The Mardyke.

Batting first, Rush started falteringly as rhey slipped to 40 for 3, but with overseas professional Josh Doyle still there, the Kenure side didn't panic.

A 77-run stand between Doyle and Nasir Totakhil (41) had Rush well positioned at the midway stage, with their good work continued by Finn McGee (30).

The last 10 overs went for 90, mainly due to captain Jarred Barnes’ power-hitting – his 43* off 32 balls included 4 fours and 2 sixes - as Rush finished with a highly competitive 281-8.

The Strabane reply got off to a decent start, albeit behind the required run rate – but a platform had been laid at 76-1 in the 15th over.

Enter all-rounder Totakhil – backing up his 41 with the bat, he removed four of the top seven Strabane batters, including the highly-prized wicket of John Mooney.

Totakhil’s guile and accuracy – and tight bowling line – was rewarded with figures of 4-19 from eight overs.

He was ably supported by Asher Abassi who claimed 3-14.

The end came quickly with Strabane slumping from 96-2 to 103 for 7, eventually all out 155.

NATIONAL CUP FINAL
Rush beat Strabane by 126 runs
Mardyke, Cork, 18 August.
Rush 281/8 (40 overs; Josh Doyle 89, Jarred Barnes 43*, Nasir Totalkhil 41, Finn McGee 30; Andrew Mullen 2-23, Nasir Nawaz 2-44, TJ Boyd 2-44)
Strabane 155 (34.1 overs; Aaron Gillespie 41, Usman Azhar 29, Kevin Gallagher 21, Leighton McGarrigle 21; Nasir Totakhil 4-19, Asher Abbasi 3-19)