North County's eight-wicket victory over Waringstown in the Tentative North ease to victory first round of the Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup at The Nevitt on Saturday was certainly emphatic but, in the heel of the hunt, strangely tentative given their clear superiority. Chasing Waringstown's total of 190 for 6, Michael Murphy and Paul Mooney had put on 81 for the first wicket when Mooney departed in the 20th over, but thereafter it took North County almost 28 further overs to get the winning runs.
Waringstown won the toss and batted first, their top scorer being Andrew Cousins with 53 (2 sixes, 4 fours) as Alan Waite, Michael Scott and Garfield Harrison also made useful contributions. Paddy Martin was North County's most successful bowler, taking 4 for 36 off his 10 overs.
Paul Mooney hit a brisk 34 before being stumped by Jonathan Bushe off Peter Hanna's bowling and Michael Murphy was the game's top scorer with a fine undefeated 85 which included one six and 7 fours. Dara Armstrong made 39 before getting out just before the end.
Meanwhile, what about starting a national "ban-all-wides" campaign to shame errant bowlers? Waringstown's "attack" - which consisted of seven bowlers in all - conceded 23 wides, that of North County 14; this scourge does nothing for the game, apart from prolonging it, and hardly adds to the enjoyment of the spectators.
IRISH SENIOR CUP (first round) - Waringstown 190 for 6, 50 overs (A Cousins 53, A Waite 41, M Scott 31, G Harrison 20, P Martin 4 for 36, C Armstrong 2 for 48), North County 192 for 2, 47.4 overs (M Murphy 85 no, D Armstrong 39, P Mooney 34). North County won by 8 wkts.
Neil Johnson handed Zimbabwe their first win of their English tour yesterday by smashing an 107 on the way to a comfortable eight-wicket success over Sussex at Hastings.
Zimbabwe, chasing a target of 265, eased home with three of their 50 overs in hand.
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