A first win of the season for CIYMS and a first loss for defending champions Waringstown after an unexpected finale at The Lawn.

The Villagers seemed to be in control at halfway, after bowling out their visitors for 187 inside 41 overs, and even after losing four wickets for 74 in reply, Adam Dennison was still there and joined by his captain Greg Thompson, with professional Daniel van der Merwe and Tom Mayes – they of the 180 runs partnership against Muckamore two days earlier – still to come.

Dennison and Thompson duly added 45 for the fifth wicket but then young left arm slow bowler Alex Armstrong, one CI’s new signings, from Carrickfergus, trapped the Waringstown captain in front and three balls later, with a drinks break in between, Jacob Mulder had Dennison caught almost immediately after bringing up his 50.

So Mayes was united with his fellow South African again but this time their partnership was broken 172 shy of Saturday’s effort, Mulder striking for a fourth time to have van der Merwe leg before.

Ross Allen dominated an eighth wicket stand of 32 with Mayes who never got out of first gear this time and he was caught behind off the third South African in the match, CI professional Hermann Rolfes – frustratingly from his final delivery - and suddenly Waringstown were 159 for eight.

Mulder claimed the match-ball just two runs later when got the fourth lbw of the innings – and seventh of the match! – and despite last man James Mitchell hitting a defiant six, he then lobbed a gentle catch to John Matchett at mid-off and CI could claim an unexpected victory with 12 runs to spare.

It was quite the turnaround by the Belmont side after conceding 223 to lose by three wickets against North Down, although there was a superb late fightback in the opening match against Lisburn when they took four wickets for one run with their opponents needing only two to win. If they maintain these fighting qualities they should improve on last year’s disappointing ninth place finish.

Waringstown were bowled out only once on their way to the league title last season when chasing a total and they will be hoping – expecting – it to be another one-off this term.

Mayes proved that bowling is still his strongest suit with a superb display, taking six for 27 – the first two and the last four, a perfect scenario for an opening bowler.

The first two, Matchett and another Carrick signing, Jake Egan, were identical dismissals, caught at long leg by Mitchell and when Mayes returned to wrap up the tail he dismissed Mulder with his first ball, bowled Jack Beattie with the first ball of his next over and hurried the innings to a conclusion with the last two in four balls.

One man he didn’t get out was Chris Dougherty who provided the backbone to the innings, scoring 61 off 75 balls while watching five wickets fall at the other end, including Rolfes, caught behind in van der Merwe’s first over for 11.

The main reason why the champions lost, though, was a horrific 33 wides and four no balls, three of them bowled by their professional. Two of the free hits were hit for six and the other was caught! With such a glaring excuse for defeat, Greg Thompson shouldn’t be too worried about this particular loss – as long as it doesn’t happen again.

And, surely, it is only a matter of time before their top order starts scoring runs.