Ardmore set pace as Bee Gees reach another final

Unfortunately Ardmore were unable to make it an all-North West affair when coming up against a really strong Muckamore side although Paul Brolly's side can now set their sights on their challenge for the Division 2 title.

On Saturday the Bleachgreen men kept the momentum going at the top of the table when they were much too strong for fellow challengers Creevedonnell.

Batting first Ardmore were indebted to Tim Harris, relishing his role as opening bat, and skipper Paul Brolly as they got them off to an excellent start. Harris made 66 and Brolly 29 as the hosts' attack toiled early on.

Andrew Clarke, Charlie Elder and Brian Dougherty reeled it back a little after that; the trio all finishing with 3 wickets apiece however Paul McDowell with 36 and 21 not out from Philip Patterson raised the bar to 186.

Former Ardmore skipper George Brolly then took the game by the scuff of the neck and ripped out the top half of the hosts' batting to leave the reply in tatters.

A stubborn 21 from Nicky Cooke only delayed the inevitable as Stephen Scroggie's side mustered just 59 in reply. George Brolly returned the impressive figures of 5 for 19 with his cousin Conor finishing the job in style claiming 4 for 14.

Bonds Glen kept the challenge alive with a comfortable win over The Nedd. The Bee Gees made 174 all out in their innings with Keith Hamilton hammering 10 fours and 2 sixes on his way to an excellent 82.

Roy Robinson kept his opening partner company adding 27 although the rest of the card was some way from impressive. Johnny Murray stole the bowling honours with 5 for 46 but once again the visitors' batting came a cropper.

Kyle Morrow top scored with 29 but once he departed there wasn't much left in the locker. Willie Jackson with 4 for 23, Richard Hepburn (3 for 34) and David Robinson with 2 for 23 wrapped things up as Bonds Glen stay second.

Drummond also kept themselves in the hunt as they continued their good recent run of form with a win at home to Killyclooney.

One again former Ireland player Gordon Cooke was in good touch with both bat and ball, hitting 6 fours on his way to 56 with good support from Stevie Moore who made 37.

Craig Hartin, batting down at number 8 added 44 as Drummond set the visitors a target of 219. Skipper Richard McMorris was the pick of the Killyclooney bowlers with 3 for 48 while Mark Snodgrass, Derek Lynch and James Colhoun all claimed two wickets.

The visitors' reply was thwarted by that man Cooke again and despite the Colhouns, James and Alan, making 37 apiece they were all out for 154. Warren McIlmoyle gave Cooke great support in the attack claiming 4 for 23 in an impressive win.

The final game on Saturday may have been low scoring but turned into a real cracker as struggling Ballyspallen lost their basement battle at Sion Mills by just a single run.

The hosts were shot out for just 77 with Ryan O'Neill making 34 of them as Graeme Anderson with 3 for 7 and Johnny Martin with 3 for 8 proved too hot to handle.

Even that was too much for the visitors however and despite the best efforts of Kyle Martin who made an unbeaten 30, they were 1 short when the last wicket fell. Nigel O'Neill claimed 5 for 30 to set up the win although the visitors are believed to be asking the North West to rule on an incident that occurred during the game.