CRICKET: Cup progress for Coleraine

On a beautiful sunny day, it was the visitors' skipper, John Browne, who won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first.

After losing a couple of early wickets, the Sion skipper must have had thoughts of posting an embarrassing low score, however, when he was joined at the crease by Ryan O'Neill, with the score on 25 for 2, the runs started to flow and they soon took the score to 60.

In a rare moment of madness, the aging Browne must have thought he was still a teenager when attempting a quick single, only to see the Coleraine wicket keeper, Muhammed Salman, hit the stumps with a direct hit leaving him short by about four yards. Following a short burst of runs by Lee Finlay, it was Mark Patterson who joined O'Neill and together they added a further 60 runs.

At this point, Coleraine's skipper, Wilson Torrens, introduced young Rishi Chopra into the attack and the teenager took no time in dismissing Patterson for a well played 47. A few more quick wickets fell before Nigel O'Neill joined his brother Ryan to take the County Tyrone team close to the 200 mark. When the 50 overs were completed it was Nigel who remained not out on 26 having seen his team post an admirable 204 for 9.

After the tea interval, Coleraine got off to a perfect start with both Ian McGregor and Scott Campbell looking in great form. Both players looked solid in defence and the runs came easy as they took the score to 104 before Campbell was caught behind for an excellent 41. The teenager had showed maturity in his shot selection and was unfortunate not to reach his second senior half century.

This brought Tim Chopra to the crease and he played the anchor role as he and McGregor continued to dominate the bowling. McGregor, in particular, punished any loose deliveries and reached his second century of the week off only 110 balls.

The winning runs came with 10 overs still to play and saw McGregor remain not out 119 and Chopra not out 28 leaving Coleraine comfortable winners by nine wickets.

The draw for the quarter final sees Coleraine make the trip to Brigade who will prove a much tougher opposition, and Coleraine will certainly need to improve their bowling and fielding if they want to progress any further.

Coleraine return to league action as they host Bready on Sunday, May 30 with a 1pm start.