Bee Gees open title race as Drummond also stake a claim

It had all looked so different when the hosts had the Bee Gees on the ropes at 79 for 8 before some really dogged resistance from McGonagle and Richard Rodgers turned the match on its head. The last two wickets added 95 runs for a final total of 174 and Ardmore looked like a team who knew that they had let their prey get away.

The Bleachgreen side's batting just never got going, epitomised with the first ball dismissal of Adrian Murphy, and they were a long way short in the end.

Paul Brolly's side had put themselves into a very commanding position a day earlier when they edged out Burndennett in a thriller. Ardmore made 223 courtesy of an unbeaten 59 from Mark Chambers along with 45 from the skipper and 37 and 30 from Paul McDowell and Conor Brolly respectively.

Mark Roulston was in commanding form for the visitors however and he anchored the reply brilliantly before being trapped plumb lbw just six runs short of his century. Still, going into the final over Burndennett needed 11 to win with 3 wickets in hand and the key moment came when with Paul Brolly having taken two wickets and conceded seven runs in that last over had Adrian Moore caught by Sean Gormley just inches from the boundary. Three wickets in the final over gave the skipper seven in total in a really big personal performance.

That win moved Ardmore on to 18 points and the Bee Gees stayed on their tail on 16 following a convincing win at home to Sion Mills. David Robinson claimed five wickets and Leslie Curry four as the visitors were shot out for just 70 and the hosts wasted little time in recording an 8-wicket win before going to Ardmore and opening up the title race.

Drummond are in there pitching too, and even without talisman Gordon Cooke who was performing best man duties they were too strong for Ballyspallen.

Only Kyle Martin with 24 and Matt Cassidy (21) offered much by way of resistance as Johnny McNerlin, Stevie Moore and Warren McIlmoyle claimed two wickets apiece in a disappointing total of 96 all out that took the best part of 40 overs to put together. Michael Lynch with an unbeaten 38 and Philip Moon (28) saw to it that Drummond had plenty in hand at the end.

Creevedonnell's hopes of promotion took a massive hit when they were beaten at Killyclooney. Some truly wayward bowling made life difficult for Stephen Scroggie's side; they conceded a huge 51 extras, including 42 wides; however the hosts top order didn't hesitate to take advantage as they all chipped in.

Ken Colhoun led the way with 63 and James Colhoun added 44 in a very imposing total of 306. Despite the best efforts of Stephen Scroggie who made 67 and Andrew Clarke who continues to impress at the top of the order the visitors were 91 adrift in the end.

Next weekend sees Ardmore with the chance to get their promotion push back on track as they entertain Sion Mills whilst joint leaders Bonds Glen have a tricky looking tie at Killyclooney.

The Bee Gees of course also have an Ulster Shield final date with Muckamore on Sunday to keep them occupied so will need to be fully focused for a couple of days.

Drummond too will be tested as Creevedonnell will look to add to their points tally should the top two slip up whilst Burndennett will probably be too strong for The Nedd.