Ardmore out early as 'Samuel Jeffrey' gets under way

Batting first, Paul Brolly's side posted a very decent total as the skipper's 58, Gerard McAuley's 46, an unbeaten 37 from David McAllister and 34 not out from Mark Chambers helped them to 229 for 7 in 40 overs.

Willie Jackson picked up 3 for 44 and Keith Hamilton 2 for 40 on a difficult day for bowlers. The Bee Gees made a solid start to their reply, Hamilton swapping ball for bat and hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes on his way to 67.

Roy Robinson, Johnny Heaslett and Richard Hepburn chipped in with 27, 23 and 23 respectively as despite Ciaran McDermott, Lee Brolly and Conor Brolly all picking up two wickets the Bee Gees had enough in hand to get them over the winning line. The prize for the winners is a trip to The Nedd in Round Two.

Elsewhere Killyclooney edged out Sion Mills in the tie of the round as Graeme McCarter and Ken Colhoun got the home side off to an excellent start with a 100-run opening stand.

The former played well for his 43 while McCarter hit 9 sixes and 4 fours on his way to 81. Andy Lucas returned excellent figures of 4 for 22 as Killyclooney's innings closed on 235.

Sion's reply started off well too and John Browne and Ryan O'Neill posted a second wicket partnership that put the visitors right back into it. Unfortunately for Sion however, once Brown went the next four batsmen contributed just one run between them as O'Neill looked on from the other end.

Mark McNulty then joined O'Neill in the middle and those two looked like they might get Sion up to the target before the former was out for 44. Nigel O'Neill played really well at number 9, adding a useful 30 but when Lee McGonagle was run out, the visitors were still 9 runs short with Ryan stranded on 90 not out.

The final game was at Drummond where Creevedonnell's resurgence continued with a 6 wicket win over Gordon Cooke's side. Only Michael Lynch with 36, Paul McIlmoyle (23) and Stevie Moore (21) were among the runs as Drummond were dismissed for 159.

Chris McDonald claimed three wickets for the visitors whilst there were two apiece for Nicky Cooke, Richard Philson and Gareth Faulkner.

Skipper Stephen Scroggie made 40 and Philson 37 as Creevedonnell had plenty in hand in knocking off the required runs despite Stevie Moore's 2 for 22 from 10 overs.

Action switches back to league matters this coming Saturday and with league leaders Bonds Glen sitting this one out it is a good chance for the chasing pack to close in.

Ardmore are at home to Drummond and despite the presence of Gordon Cooke in the visitors' changing room, the return of Adrian Murphy and a few familiar faces will undoubtedly see the home team start favourites.

Ballyspallen host Creevedonnell with the visitors seemingly having put their very poor start behind them and Stephen Scroggie will know that this is a golden opportunity for his side to keep the pressure on at the top.

Burndennett, who lost their unbeaten run at home to Eglinton in the cup are now on a losing run of three but they will be very hopeful of getting back on track when they defend an unbeaten league record against Sion Mills. John Brown has the visitors playing much better these days but he will know they will have to be at their very best if they are to take anything from this.

The final game of this series sees The Nedd host Killyclooney in a contest between two sides that have blown hot and cold this season. The visitors will be looking to hold on to Graeme McCarter for as long as they can before the summer academy starts at Gloucester and if he is available that would make their job a lot less difficult.

The Nedd are certainly capable though and Creighton Wilson's men relish these sorts of matches. The home side probably start slight favourites to claim the points.