County Galway cricketers are through to the final of the Munster Senior Cup for the first time in more than a decade.
The Galway X1 advanced in a closely-run tussle with Waterford IT on Saturday, prevailing in this semi-final at Lydican with an 11-run victory.
Galway, first into bat, produced a handy score of 234 runs. Nitin Bindal continued his excellent form with the bat this season, top scoring with 54, while Imran with 34, Waqqas with 35 and Umair Maqsood with 26 all made fine contributions.
However Waterford started well in reply and looked likely to overhaul the target set by Galway, but a late spell of accurate swing bowling from Galway's Derek Hampson who finished with four wickets, completely unravelled the Waterford middle order. Galway just managed to hold on in a nail-biting finish, winning in the end by just 11 runs.
County Galway now face either Cork Harlequins or UCC in the final which is on Saturday next at the Mardyke in Cork.
Galway, the winners of the Munster Junior Cup last year, are now through to their first senior cup final in more than 10 years - a big achievement for the small club.
