Ardmore move into joint top spot in Championship

On Saturday week Lee Brolly’s men host St Johnston in what could be a title shoot-out however before that, they visit a Burndennett team whose inconsistency makes them a real danger.

On their day, Mark Doherty’s team are capable of beating anybody but they rarely show their best form for two weeks running.

The Bleachgreen boys know full well they can’t take their eye off the ball having worked so hard to get into this position so expect a dogged scrap in that one.

St Johnston have no “gimme” either as they travel to Bonds Glen, the home side having found the winning thread again in midweek by beating Sion Mills.

As always, getting Gihan Dilruk early is key to the Saints’ progress as the Sri Lankan is a very dangerous customer if he gets going.

The Saints have bags of quality themselves but much will depend on how they react to that Drummond defeat which if truth be told, had been coming.

Drummond and Creevedonnell won’t have given up hope of being involved in the run-in therefore neither can afford to slip up in what could be an enthralling contest.

The home team may start favourites given a solid recent run of form but Gary Neely will have his side well prepared for the task.

What could be the biggest game of the day sees Killyclooney with no wins entertain Sion Mills who have just one.

Things are getting pretty dire in both camps but despite a lack of wins, both teams have been performing pretty well of late.

John Browne has been in the nets recently and the classy batsman may well feel that his experience is necessary here while the home team have three or four players who could make this an uncomfortable day for the Tyrone lads.

While all the attention was diverted towards Eglinton on Saturday, two games crept in under the radar in the Championship and one in particular was to have a telling effect on the league table.

Killyclooney, who have been threatening to end their long losing streak entertained an Ardmore side who needed the points to draw level with St Johnston at the other end and the match turned out to be a real run-fest.

The home side batted first in ideal conditions and were soon among the runs as the visitors’ bowling toiled. Mark Gordon has been in excellent form for Killyclooney this season and he was dominant again here as they worked their way to a big total.

Gordon posted his first senior century last month against the league leaders and he came within a whisker of doing it again here.

The all-rounder blasted 10 sixes and 6 fours before finally being dismissed just one short of another ton.

It was by no means a one-man show either, Mattie Barr is another player starting to bare his teeth for Sammy McElhatton’s team and he added an excellent 86 while former skipper Richard McMorris contributed a valuable half century.

Conor Brolly with three wickets and two apiece for Peter Harrigan and Lee Brolly were the pick of the visitors attack as Killyclooney finished on a healthy 290 for 8.

Ardmore look a different type of animal this season, especially for the influence of Andrew Riddles and the former Limavady skipper was there when they needed him again here.

Barr and Kenny Hall were among the wickets early as Ardmore’s reply slumped to 48 for 4 before Riddles took the contest by the scruff of the neck. He smashed 14 fours and 3 sixes on his way to an unbeaten 120, his fourth century of the season as Ardmore gained the upper hand.

Riddles received good support from Ciaran Curley (53) and Conor Brolly (43 not out) allowing the Bleachgreen side to record a five wicket verdict.

The win sends them into top spot along with the Saints while the wait goes on for Killyclooney albeit you would think if they can find a repeat of this kind of performance it may not be all that far away.