Instonians are on course for a possible treble having enjoyed an excellent first half of the season. That’s a far cry from the struggles of 2024, and skipper Nikolai Smith has hailed the influence of their overseas professional in the upturn in their fortunes.

“It’s all gone really, really well so far with so many guys in great form,” said Smith. “We have bounced back really well from last season when we were in the bottom half of the league.

“Shane Dadswell returning as our overseas professional has made a huge difference as he is fantastic with the players. He’s so positive and having him in the team is massive. Not only his contributions with bat and ball but the way he interacts with everyone just has given the club a massive boost. He adds so much and lifts everyone, making them feel two feet taller giving them tremendous belief in their ability.

“Cade Carmichael, Neil Rock and Cian Robertson are having excellent seasons, as well as others all chipping in. Everyone has stepped up and are all doing really well for us.

“We’re helped too by the fact we have such a strong second XI, and they are pushing for places and putting the first team guys under pressure, which is helping everyone be at their best and perform. The key to our success this year so far has been individuals focusing on their own job and doing it well.”

Despite that strong start they haven’t won anything yet, and have some huge matches coming up against Waringstown both in the Premiership and cup final, as well as a T20 final next week against Cliftonville Academy.

“There are some really good teams in the league so there are no games where you think that this will be easy. You have to be at your best every week. We are really looking forward to the cup finals. They are so tough to win and the fact that we are mostly playing away from home in the remaining matches makes it a little bit tougher, but we are in a great position. It just won’t be Waringstown that we have to perform against as you have to beat good teams to win things and we will be doing our best just to do that.”

Instonians passed two massive tests of their trophy credentials earlier this month with back-to-back wins over rivals Lisburn – victories that have given the Shaw’s Bridge side massive belief.

“While the toss in those matches was obviously important, the guys were really up for it and played some tremendous cricket against a very good team. The bowling unit was superb and the batters all did their jobs. We weren't expecting to chase 180 both days, so to win comfortably just instills more confidence that we can beat any team on our day.”

Smith has actually played international cricket, not for his native South Africa, or indeed Ireland where he has lived for the past 12 years with his local wife and two young children, but for Italy, where his mother hails from.

It’s been a huge week for the Azurri who beat Scotland to qualify for next year’s T20 World Cup. Smith played ten times for Italy, making his debut in 2019, and scoring a century against Kenya in a 50-overs game. Was there any chance of a return for the 32-year-old all-rounder,

“It’s been a fantastic achievement for them to qualify as these tournaments are always notoriously tough. It’s so good for Italian cricket as a whole and will allow them to really grow the game.

“In terms of myself, I would love to play for them again, but I’m realistic enough to know they have some really fantastic players now and I didn’t really perform that well when I was there. I’m certainly still available for selection, but if it did happen, I would have to score runs and try and nail down a spot. Not being in the team is down to me not really taking the chances when I had them.”

Instonians are away at CIYMS in the first match of the top-six split, while Lisburn entertain Muckamore and North Down host Waringstown. In the relegation battle, Woodvale take on CSNI, while Cliftonville Academy face Templepatrick.

In the North-West, Newbuildings and Brigade meet twice, firstly in the league and on Sunday in their rearranged Faughan Valley Cup final. Leaders Donemana are at struggling Strabane, Bready host bottom side Eglinton, while Ardmore meet Coleraine.