Hero Jason van der Merwe bats CSNI to the cup with great support from Shane Getkate.

Jason van der Merwe is only in his third season at Civil Service North but he has already pocketed two Challenge Cup final medals and, as of yesterday, a man of the match award.

IT’S now 11 years since a team has retained the NCU Challenge Cup but CIYMS captain Nigel Jones is going for a personal hat-trick of winning medals when his side take on 2014 winners Civil Service North at Comber on Friday (11am).

CIYMS will meet Civil Service North in the final of the AJG Challenge Cup next week after Johnny Thompson produced a devastating conclusion to their semi-final against Carrickfergus at Belmont last night.

CIYMS captain Nigel Jones has accused Carrickfergus of “deliberate and blatant time-wasting” in their AJG Challenge Cup semi-final when CI finished just six runs short of victory when the match was abandoned by rain.

Simple fact; if CIYMS are not playing CSNI in the showpiece final of the Arthur J Gallagher Challenge Cup, they have only themselves to blame.

A SUPERB exhibition of hitting by Mansoor Amjad and Shane Getkate sent Civil Service North hurtling into the AJG Senior Cup final at the expense of hot favourites Waringstown.

Saturday’s Arthur J Gallagher NCU Challenge Cup tie at Belmont on Saturday certainly created some talking points, not least with how it finished.

A blistering fourth wicket partnership of 97 from just 57 balls between Mansoor Amjad and Shane Getkate saw Civil Service North stun favourites Waringstown and dump them out of the Senior Cup.

The semi-final of the Challenge Cup will have to be replayed after CIYMS' clash with Carrickfergus was abandoned with the Belmont side just six runs from victory.

Ahead of a pivotal weekend for Waringstown which could finish with a place booked in the final of both the Challenge and Ulster Cups captain Lee Nelson was in pretty sombre mood - about the weather.

Most neutrals hoped that the draw for the semi-finals of the Arthur J Gallagher Challenge Cup kept holders CIYMS and team of the season thus far Waringstown apart.

Ryan Eagleson's five wicket haul led Carrickfergus into the semi-final of the Challenge Cup as they beat Muckamore.

THE Challenge Cup quarter-final between Muckamore and Carrickfergus, abandoned last Saturday following the collapse of Carrick wicket-keeper Gordon Browne, will resume from where it was stopped on Friday at 6pm.

WITH no NCU players involved in international action, the teams will be at full strength for a double header of cup action when the semi-finalists in both the Twenty20 and Challenge Cups will be decided.

Arguably the biggest shock in the first round of the Arthur J Gallagher Challenge Cup came at Moylena where the home side, Muckamore took down the much fancied Instonians eleven.

Holders CIYMS will be at home to Downpatrick in the quarter finals of the NCU’s Arthur J Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup.

Instonians and North Down can concentrate on the Ulster Bank Premier League after Saturday's events in the first round of the AJG Challenge Cup - but they could be at opposite ends of the table.

A look at the other action in round one with convincing wins for Carrickfergus, Waringstown, CIYMS, CSNI, Lisburn and Derriaghy.

Downpatrick knock out North Down, while Muckamore defeat Instonians in the other shock of the day in the AJG Challenge Cup.

Bruce Topping stars for Donaghcloney while there was the joy of six for Gareth Harrison.

North Down have been confirmed as the hosts for this year's Senior Challenge Cup final.