Ballyspallen Thirds lifted the League Six Cup after completing an impressive seven-wicket victory over Coleraine Fourths in the final at Sandel Lodge.
In the two-innings format, there was virtually nothing between the sides after the opening exchanges, with Ballyspallen taking a slender one-run advantage into the second innings.
Coleraine made 147 for nine from their first 30 overs, with Anoop Ramesan top-scoring with 29 after Mathew Sunny had contributed 20.
Philip Johnston was the outstanding Ballyspallen bowler, taking four for 16 from his spell, while Charlie McNerlin claimed two wickets.
Ballyspallen responded with 148 for eight, captain Vic Young playing the pivotal innings with an unbeaten 31. Harry Nutt provided valuable late support with 23, while Philip Johnston made 18 and Harry McNerlin 16.
Coleraine then threatened to turn the contest their way in their second innings through Sunny, who struck nine fours in an excellent 53 from 50 deliveries.
However, Ballyspallen’s bowlers responded superbly once again. Charlie Stewart removed Samrat Thomas and Anoop Ramesan before adding a third wicket, while Matthew McElhinney produced an outstanding closing spell.
McElhinney took three for 11 from 5.2 overs, including two maidens, as Coleraine’s innings fell away sharply. Jack Thompson’s 23 provided some late resistance, but they were dismissed for 131. The five overs unused and 30 runs left was to be the decisive passage of play in the contest.
Harry McNerlin also claimed two wickets, with Jaydon Bond and Charlie McNerlin sharing the others.
That left Ballyspallen requiring 131 for victory, but they suffered an early setback when first-innings wicket-taker Philip Johnston was trapped lbw by James Murdock for four.
McElhinney then completed an excellent all-round display by anchoring the chase - this combined with his bowling efforts was to secure him a deserved Player-of-the-Match accolade.
He shared a 54-run second-wicket partnership with Harry McNerlin, whose 21 helped settle any early nerves, before McNerlin was bowled by Ramesan.
Liam Young then added 15 during another useful stand before being dismissed with the score on 111.
There was to be no late drama, however, as McElhinney remained unbeaten on 48 from 65 balls, striking four boundaries, with Harry Nutt alongside him on 12 not out.
Ballyspallen reached their target in the 26th over to seal a deserved seven-wicket triumph in the gloom. That the match was completed in one day despite the conditions was testament to both teams and umpires Vinny O'Hara and Jordan McGonigle.
McElhinney’s second-innings three-wicket haul and unbeaten 48 proved decisive, while Johnston’s four wickets in Coleraine’s first innings ensured Ballyspallen had the platform from which to claim the League Six Cup.
LEAGUE SIX FINAL
At Sandel Lodge, Ballyspallen beat Coleraine by 7 wickets.
Coleraine 147-9 (30 overs; Anoop Ramesan 29, Mathew Sunny 20; Philip Johnston 4-16, Charlie McNerlin 2-30) and 131 (25.2 overs; Mathew Sunny 53, Jack Thompson 23; Matthew McElhinney 3-11, Charlie Stewart 3-25, Harry McNerlin 2-22).
Ballyspallen 148-8 (30 overs; Vic Young 31*, Harry Nutt 23; Anna McGurk 2-26, H Knight 2-28) and 131-3 (25.1 overs; Matthew McElhinney 48*, Harry McNerlin 21).
Man-of-the-Match Matthew McElhinney.