Coleraine see off Bonds Glen in NW Senior Cup

Coleraine bowler Rishi Chopra in action against Bonds Glen at Rugby Avenue. PICTURE MARK JAMIESON.

Although there were a number of showers in the morning, conditions had cleared sufficiently by 1.00pm to allow play to start on time.

Bonds Glen won the toss and opted to bat, but from the beginning it was clear that the visiting batsmen were going to struggle with the pace and accuracy of Coleraine’s opening bowlers – Jarred Barnes and Gareth Burns. Wickets fell regularly with Barnes claiming four wickets and Burns one.

The remaining batsmen fared no better against the spin of Scott Campbell and Rishi Chopra – with Campbell taking two wickets and Chopra three. Indeed the dominance of Coleraine’s bowling attack was demonstrated by the fact that only one batsman made it to double figures and the entire team was bowled out for just 69 runs.

After a short ten minute interval, play resumed with Niall McDonnell and Scott Campbell at the crease. Both started watchfully but when Campbell scored a boundary in the third over, that signalled a change in pace. Five more fours and one six followed as he raced to a half century in just 44 balls and secured victory for the team by 10 wickets in just 12.4 overs. This was a thoroughly entertaining performance which delighted the spectators and emphasised again that the whole team and Campbell in particular were in a different class from their opponents.

Remarkably, on a day when the forecast wasn’t promising, all eight games in the first round were concluded, with the draw for the 2nd round taking place on Sunday afternoon.

In the next round, Coleraine will again have a home tie, against Glendermott, on the 14th June. Meanwhile in the Irish Senior Cup, the draw for the next round has also been made, with Coleraine hosting Dublin side, YMCA on 8th June at Sandel Lodge.

On Sunday, Coleraine were due to play their second league game of the season, but early on, it was clear that there was no prospect of play at Sandel Lodge and the game was postponed to a date to be arranged.

Next weekend the 1st XI are back in action in the Premier League with a home game on Saturday against League rivals Brigade, who also won their first league game. This will be a hard fought contest by two strong teams who played their two head to head matches at the close of last season in a double-header weekend, when the 2013 title was won by Coleraine.

The game will start a 1.00pm and spectators are encouraged to come along to support the teams.