Cup finals galore this Sunday in the North West

Niall O'Donnell in batting action for Coleraine against Eglinton. Picture by Mark Jamieson

On Sunday at Ardmore there is a double header of T/20 finals taking place.

In the first game St Johnston play Glendermott in the Eric Cooke Memorial Trophy, while in the Faughan Valley Cup Final Donemana take on the holders Coleraine, the first game. All proceeds from these games go to local charities so get yourselves out there to support good causes.

Meanwhile last Saturday’s two Premiership games were played in glorious conditions.

However both games scheduled for Sunday were washed out, as was the Ulster Cup Final between Bready and Waringstown. This game has been rearranged for Sunday again at Strabane Park.

Last weekend, Donemana put another nail into Fox Lodge’s coffin with a comprehensive 85 run victory at Ballymagorry.

The visitors batting first were in early trouble losing their first wicket with just 12 on the board. Wickets continued to fall as the Foxies opening bowler Gareth Heywood bowling superbly claimed the first four as the visitors slumped to 96 for six.

Enter the father and son partnership of Junior and Andy McBrine in a partnership that was to be undefeated with 142 runs.

Andy batted superbly scoring freely to all parts of the ground as he remained unbeaten on 112. Junior to smashed a few boundaries in his 42 not out as the innings closed on 238 for six.

In reply the home side got off to a solid start with openers Jason Milligan and Iftikhar Hussain sharing a 53-run partnership which was broken when Milligan was bowled by Andy McBrine for 21.

Brian Allen and Hussain took the score to 94 but when Allen was trapped lbw to Jordan McGonigle followed three runs later by the departure of Hussain Richard Kee’s side were in the driving seat.

Of the later batsmen only Johnny Heywood with 30 showed any resistance as the home side were all out for 153 with the McBrine family claiming seven of the wickets.

Eglinton had an important 64-run win at Bready. Batting first the visitors scored an impressive 287 for five in their 50 overs thanks to a superb 127 from a bang in-form Stuart Thompson and an undefeated century from Stephen Smyth.

David Scanlon’s side made a game of it thanks to 57 from Ernest Kemm and 43 from Darren Moore. However their innings ended on 223 and it was another bad defeat for the men from Magheramason, whose form in recent week has slumped.