Newbuildings route to the final was a tougher one as they beat Bready by three wickets in a tense battle played out in increasingly sweltering conditions, enjoyed by a crowd of over 500.

Bready recovered from 128 for 7 to post 206, later boosted by a further five penalty runs for dissent.

Jamie Magee top-scored with 60, while there were runs down the order from Conor Olphert (35) and skipper David Scanlon (23).

Trent McKeegan picked up three wickets, while there was two apiece for Jared Wilson and Johnny Thompson.

Any nerves early on in the chase were helped by Bready’s generosity with a spate of extras. When the 50 came up in the 5th over, 33 of them were extras!

The biggest culprit was Irish international Conor Olphert who lost his radar in his second over, bowling 7 wides and a no-ball.

He failed to complete the over, going off with what looked a thigh injury – Jamie Magee completing the 14-ball over.

Sub fielder Ryan Clarke took a stunning catch running back at deep extra cover to break the opening stand of 64, and when Gareth McKeegan fell soon after, the decibel levels dropped considerably.

When Irosh took three wickets in an excellent spell of 3 for 25, Bready were strong favourites at 155 for 7, especially with their ‘big guns’ back in the hutch, including the solid presence of Ryan Hunter (34). 

However the home side found new heroes in Ross Hunter (34*) and Jordan McCorkell (25*), who added an unbroken 58 in ten overs to clinch a memorable win.

It promises to be a long night of celebration for the successful sides.