For the second time in three years, the NCU have the last four standing in the ClubTurf Ulster Cup.

They were assured of one, from the North Down-Lisburn clash at The Green but Instonians’ thrilling two runs victory over Strabane completed a clean sweep last night.

North Down produced the performance of the day to dismiss joint Premier League leaders Lisburn for 83 — Taimur Khan taking four for 20 — and Iain Robertson, revelling in his new role as opening batsman, scored 61, all but seven of them in boundaries, from 45 balls as the league champions won by 10 wickets in the 13th over.

Civil Service North, whose defence of the Challenge Cup ended on Saturday, at Lisburn, kept their season alive with a 16 runs win at Fox Lodge. Ireland internationals Regan West (107) and Nigel Jones (99 for the second time in a week, again caught on the boundary) added 187 for the third wicket in a total of 267 for six.

CIYMS suspended Thinus Fourie from their weekend double header — for refusing to bowl, when asked, in the midweek win against Civil Service North — but although they lost to Waringstown in Saturday’s cup tie, they beat Bready yesterday by 30 runs. Johnny Hewitt (80) and captain Derek Heasley (76) put on 97 for the third wicket as CI scored 222.

Divan van Wyk (117) and Rory McCann (109) broke Instonians’ all-time record partnership in their opening stand of 218 against Strabane but when Niall McDonnell (91) and Kevin Martin replied with 126 in 20 overs for the visitors, it was game on.

However, for the second time in two days, the Strabane middle-order failed to take advantage of a great start and it was Ciaran Patton and Tommy Barr who started the last over, bowled by Eugene Moleon, needing 11 to win.

Patton was run out off the fifth ball going for a second, leaving three wanted from the last ball but Paul McNamee was bowled to put the 2007 winners into the last four.

It was just as exciting at Middle Road yesterday in the only Premier League game of the day.

Here, Carrickfergus needed eight off the last over to overhaul Waringstown’s 226 for nine (Lee Nelson 96) but despite Richard Stirling taking five of the first three balls, Carrick lost by two runs.

Gary Kidd had Matt Mangan, going for glory, caught on the boundary off the fourth ball, Stirling, back in strike, then missed the fifth and was stumped off the last.

In the first innings, Kyle McCallan was bowled by Ireland team-mate Paul Stirling for a duck.

Following Ballymena’s win over pointless Bangor on Saturday, there are six teams covered by just four points (one win) at the top of the table. Lisburn (played 5) share the lead with Instonians (6) and Ballymena (7) ahead of Waringstown (4), North Down (5) and Carrickfergus (6).