Big cup weekend for sides

Coleraine joined Eglinton at the top of the table with an emphatic 213 run win over Fox Lodge.

The Bannsiders scored 314 for 4 thanks to two centurions, Niall McDonnell continued his remarkable form scoring 103 followed by a quick fire 102 from professional Roy Silva. The Foxies batted poorly, only scoring 101 with top score being only 18.

Eglinton suffered a heavy defeat at Beechgrove, Brigade batting first scored 266 for 5 with Johnny Thompson undefeated on 124 and Andy Britton hitting a quick 31.

The Villagers managed just 132 in reply with only Stephen Smyth showing any resistance scoring 38.

Donemana’s woes continued at Strabane where they lost their fifth game out of their last six, the Red Caps who themselves have been struggling batting first amassed a total of 229 for 4 with Peter Gillespie undefeated with 76. Richard Kee’s side could only muster 110 in reply.

Bready went into their game at Glendermott pointless knowing that a win was a must and their batsmen didn’t let them down scoring 246 for 6 with big hitting Robert Spence scoring 59 not out.

Glendermott reached their target with just one over left and their last two batsmen at the wicket, thanks to 83 from professional Girvon Christain and 43 from skipper Gordon Montgomery.

On Sunday at Coleraine, North Down were the visitors in the Ulster Cup semi-final and what a thriller it turned out to be, the Sandel Lodge side made 212 for 4 in their allotted 31 overs thanks once again to a superb 72 form Niall McDonnell, the Comber men fell just nine runs short despite Johnny Terrett scoring a superb century.

Waringstown defeated Bready in the other semi batting first the men from the Lawn scored 175 for 6 with the vistors falling 32 runs short.

The semi-finals of the Danske Bank Senior Cup take place on Saturday, while on Sunday, Fox Lodge, who are the only remaining local side in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup, entertain Clontarf.

Take note that all Premiership and Championship games will commence at 12noon from Saturday until the end of the season.

Saturday

Coleraine v Donemana

When the draw was made pairing these two sides looked like a game that would be hard to call however since then the fortunes of both clubs have gone in opposite directions.

The Bannsiders remain unbeaten in all domestic competitions and look odds on to collect silverware this season. Niall McDonnell, who has got three centuries this season, is their danger man.

Donemana are on a terrible run of form and the worrying thing about it is they are neither performing with bat or ball, however they are the one side that you can never right off but on current form they have it all to do.

Prediction: Coleraine.

Brigade v Drummond

Gareth McKeegan’s side are very confident of doing a league and cup double this season and one can see why as their side is loaded with talent.

Drummond shocked Bready in the previous round where ex-Limavady opening bowler Richard McDaid was on fire, taking a hat-trick in the early stages of Bready’s inning, they won’t mind the underdogs tag and they will give it a go, but a home victory looks assured.

Prediction: Brigade.

Sunday

Fox Lodge v Clontarf

The Foxies were at it again last Saturday in their heavy defeat at Coleraine, the previous Saturday they were superb in their win at Strabane but the complete opposite last week, what team is going to turn up on Sunday.

The Dubliners may not be at full strength but are nevertheless very formidable opponents, they have defeated Malahide and Ballymena in the previous rounds, if they are at their very best the Foxies could nick it.

Prediction: Fox Lodge.