CRICKET: Coleraine to face Donemana in opening game

COLERAINE face the daunting prospect of a trip to the Holm on Saturday to face Donemana in the opening game of the Senior One 2010 season.

Following the surprise withdrawal during the winter months of Killymallaght from Division One, Coleraine were given an unexpected reprieve to the top flight, one which Wilson Torrens team are looking forward to after last season.

Pre season preparations have gone extremely well with the signings of opening batsman Ian McGregor from limamvady and left arm opening bowler Steven Dunn from Donemana.

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Last Saturday the team defeated Drummond by 112 runs scoring 196-8, with Tim Chopra making 60 and Seteven Dunn ripped through the Drummond top order with the first three wickets as the Limavady team were bowled out for 84. On Sunday Coleraine defeated Civil Service North at Stormont by scoring 226-8 with Tim Chopra again top scoring with 70 and Ian McGregor made 50 and tight bowling restricting the Belfast side to 186-8.

The team is a year wiser following their experience in Division One last year and with the signings of McGregor and Dunn, along with talented youngsers in all-rounder Scott Campbell and batsman Paul Douglas, seam bowler Andrew Douglas and experience in captain Wilson Torrens and the talented Geoff Lockhart, the team has a strong all round look about it.

Club professional Mohammad Salman will be hoping the airlines get back on track to get in from Paksitan in time for the first game and Wilson Torrens likewise as at present the Coleraine captain finds himself stranded in Turkey.

Coleraine Seconds, led by Nigel Barr, make the short journey to Crindle on Saturday and should field a strong squad including Neil Morrison, Davy Doey, Rishi Chopra and new signing from Creevedonnell wicketkeeper/batsman Clive Edgar.

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David Moffatt's third eleven must wait to Sunday to get started against Bready and will be looking to build on the strong team spirit that was developed last year, with talented youngsters Rory Handforth and Michael MacRaild looking to make an impact.