Cricket: League and Ulster Cup games take centre stage

There are three games in the Premiership this Saturday with the Donemana Brigade game postponed as the Tyrone men have three players on international duty.
St. Johnston's David Lapsley pictured in action against Eglinton on Saturday. INLS2815-119KMSt. Johnston's David Lapsley pictured in action against Eglinton on Saturday. INLS2815-119KM
St. Johnston's David Lapsley pictured in action against Eglinton on Saturday. INLS2815-119KM

On Sunday Brigade entertain Waringstown and Donemana travel to North Down in the semi-finals of the O’Neills 
Ulster Cup.

Premiership

Coleraine v Eglinton

Kushpal Singh batting for St. Johnston during Saturday's match against Eglinton. INLS2815-121KMKushpal Singh batting for St. Johnston during Saturday's match against Eglinton. INLS2815-121KM
Kushpal Singh batting for St. Johnston during Saturday's match against Eglinton. INLS2815-121KM

The Bannsiders were robbed by the weather in last weeks game with Brigade. However with their two main rivals not playing they have a big chance of extending their lead at the top, their young spinner Varun Chopra bowled splendidly in that game.

Eglinton, after their win over St Johnston last week, look to be safe from a relegation battle but will want to maintain that form with the Danske Bank Senior Cup Final just a couple of weeks away.

Prediction: Coleraine.

St Johnston v Bready

Both these sides have just two points so this is a massive game. The Saints put up a decent batting display last Saturday but not for the first time their bowling let them down, they need to work on that department.

Bready have struggled all season not helped by players being unavailable for various reasons they may yet again not be at full strength. Hhowever their batting looks stronger than their opponents and that may make the difference.

Prediction: Bready

Strabane v Ardmore

Will the Red Caps be back to full strength they badly need to get their strongest eleven on the field as they are serious relegation material, the players that they have brought in have yet to gel and they are running out of games.

Ardmore, after their double victory a fortnight ago, look to be safe. However they will want to maintain their fourth in the table slot, a couple of their local players found their form the men which augurs well for the future.

Prediction: Ardmore

Ulster Cup

Brigade v Waringstown

Andy Britton’s side know they face a tough one in this game. They are still not playing consistently well and that was shown in last weeks abysmal batting performance at Coleraine, a repeat of that will see them bow out.

The visitors are a side packed with talent right through their team with former internationals Kyle McCallan and Phil Eaglestone along with the talents of James Hall and Lee Nelson showing why they are clear leaders in their league.

Prediction: Waringstown.

North Down v Donemana

The men from Comber suffered a heavy defeat against Waringstown last Saturday not helped by skipper Peter Shields on holiday, however they are still a formidable side especially at home with players like Tamur Khan and Peter Eakin in their ranks.

Donemana will still be missing Andy McBrine and William and Gary McClintock and that is bound to be a big loss, however it will give other players the chance to push for cup final places.

Prediction: Donemana