Waringstown and Holywood will meet in the final of the NCU Women’s Challenge Cup after both recorded convincing wins in the semi-finals.

Amy Caufield was Player of the Match as Waringstown ousted holders CSNI at Stormont. The all-rounder took 3 for 12, while Cara Rainey picked up two wickets to restrict the home side to 108 for 7 – runs for Sophie Thomas (25*) and Ali Cowan (24).

Amy Caufield receives her Player of the Match award

Caufield then made an even time unbeaten 33, sharing an opening stand of 68 with Sophie Hinds (30), and a further 41 with Charlotte Lyons, who hit five boundaries in her 14-ball 25 not out as they raced to the 9-wicket win in the 14th over.

Holywood’s international duo of Karabo Meso and Lara Maritz played major roles in their eight-wicket win at Muckamore.

Maritz, won 43 caps for Ireland between 2017-2021 claimed two wickets as the Moylena side were kept to 100 for 7 – Beth McCrea (24), and Fiona Murray (19) adding 55 for the second wicket. Alex Atkinson (3-12) was also among the wickets in a fine bowling effort.

South African international Karabo Meso then took centre stage, hitting 10 boundaries in her 42-ball 71 not out, adding 49 in just five overs with Lara Maritz (11*).

Although just 16 years old, Meso, who attends Rockport School, showed her power and quality with a number of lofted drives, guiding the Seapark side to an emphatic eight-wicket win.

The final of the blue-riband competition is set for Wallace Park, Lisburn on Sunday August 4th.