Ardmore steal a march as 'Donnell slip up again

The first time for several years that the weather has facilitated such an uninterrupted start but already the distress signals are emanating from one of the pre-season title favourites.

Having lost heavily to Bonds Glen on the opening day there was no respite for Stephen Scroggie's men on Saturday either as they travelled to the Bleachgreen without several first choice players including the skipper himself.

Despite seeing the back of last week's double centurion Adrian Murphy for a duck the visitors couldn't capitalise. Paul Brolly provided the steadying influence and Mark Chambers the cutting edge as Ardmore posted a very decent 192 for 9 in their 50 overs. Leighton McGarrigle picked up three wickets, including the prized scalp of Murphy whilst there were two apiece for Brian Dougherty and Don Nicholl.

In their reply Creevedonnell had difficulty coping with Ardmore's attack, with George Brolly proving particularly troublesome. Ardmore old boy Charlie Elder flew the flag with an assured 38 but there was little other resistance around him and the visitors were over 100 short at the end.

Ardmore have two very difficult away trips to Bonds Glen and Burndennett next weekend but you would have to think that if they come through those unscathed they will give themselves a magnificent platform from which to launch their own promotion push. Creevedonnell host The Nedd on Saturday in a game that anything other than a win will put a real dampener on their season.

The Ballykelly side will be no pushover however having recorded a big win themselves at the weekend when they accounted for the Bee Gees. Kyle Morrow was in good form for the Ballykelly side, his 57 at the top of the order and 41 from Alex Steele helping them to a very competitive 212 all out. Willie Jackson bowled well for his 4 for 42 and Richard Hepburn and Colin Hall claimed two wickets apiece.

Once again David Robinson was in excellent form with the bat for Bonds Glen following up his big century last week with a hard hitting 63 here whilst Jackson added 38 runs to his bowling efforts, but it wasn't to be enough.

The game hung in the balance until the end but when Keith Burns bowled Derek Curry to end the visitors' innings, The Nedd had a mere five runs in hand.

Ballyspallen earned their first points since being re-admitted to the senior ranks and it was two familiar faces that were architects of the win. Johnny Martin who was on Limavady's books last season made a very patient unbeaten half century to anchor his side's total of 161 as the two Lee's, Finlay and McGonagle claimed 5 for 36 and 3 for 17 respectively for Sion.

John Browne's side never really got competitive in their reply as the evergreen Ernie Cassidy swept away their top order to finish with a very impressive 5 for 41.

The Tyrone side were dismissed for 110 to complete a great day for the new boys who have a tricky looking trip to Burndennett to come next Saturday whilst Sion have a very busy weekend when the host Killyclooney on Saturday and Bonds Glen on Sunday.

The final game last weekend saw Drummond also earn their first points when they ran out comfortable winners at an under strength Killyclooney.

The visitors took first use and were soon in trouble as Kyle Barr who finished with 4 for 24 got in among their middle order. Paul McIlmoyle batting at number seven and Johnny McNerlin at ten put a completely different perspective on the match however as they made 40 and 52 respectively to take the wind out of the hosts' sails.

Whereas they expected to be chasing something in the region of 100, Killyclooney suddenly had to find an extra 87 runs and in truth they were rarely competitive despite 30 from Aaron Parke at the top of the order. Their reply finished 67 short and Ken Colhoun's boys will hope to get their own first points of the season next week when they visit Sion.

Drummond don't play on Saturday but are in action on Monday evening when they make the short trip to Ballyspallen where they will hope to build on their win here. Creevedonnell are also back in action on Monday evening when they face Killyclooney.