Last gasp defeat at Brigade means the title race will go down top the wire

At this stage Coleraine had a two point lead and a win would secure the league, but a loss to Brigade would tie both teams in first position.

As the team travelled to Beechgrove, they knew that this was a venue, where the conditions were often damp and the batting scores accordingly low. Losing the toss Coleraine were put in to bat first, with everyone anticipating that runs would be hard to come by, with Brigade’s bowling attack at their most potent on their home ground.

An early breakthrough, with the wicket of Coleraine captain, Scott Campbell, to the first of five lbw decisions in favour of the hosts, at 10 for 1, spurred the bowlers on and persuaded the Coleraine batsmen to use greater caution. Despite their cautious approach, however, wickets continued to fall regularly, while the run rate was suppressed. Tim Chopra, also out lbw, contributed a battling 24, but it was Niall McDonnell, 53 not out, who showed the determination to grind out the innings, helping Coleraine to a feasibly defendable total of 154.

In reply, the Brigade openers seemed to be steadily racking up the runs, without any need for speed. The loss of both these batsmen however with the score on 55 for 2, saw the Coleraine heads lift, and with a devastating spell from Scott Campbell, taking five for just 16 runs in his ten overs, the Brigade batting looked to be in tatters, as they reached 98 with only three wickets left.

A partnership of 52 runs from Johnny Robinson and Nick Donnell swung the game back in favour of Brigade, as Coleraine’s search for further quick wickets was unsuccessful.

An over from Graeme McCarter took the game to the wire, as he took two wickets in two balls with the score on 150. Brigade needed just four more runs with one wicket in hand, but the number 11, Gareth Connor, survived the hat trick ball, leaving Robinson on strike for the next over. He took no time to think about playing it safe as he tried immediately to hit the winning runs. He went for his final six, as the fielder, Graeme McCarter got a hand to the ball. The crowd watched to see if the catch was taken, but McCarter could not stop himself and the ball falling over the boundary line.

An exciting finish, which could have gone either way, saw the Brigade supporters roar with joy, realising that they had now drawn level with Coleraine on points.

As a result, the title will have to be decided by a further game, a play off, arranged at a neutral ground. This will be at Eglinton next Sunday 13th September and the NWCU are clearly hoping for another large crowd to watch an equally thrilling game of cricket.

Coleraine can draw on the positives from their performances on Saturday, a dogged determination to bat through some trying conditions, a lively and athletic attitude in the field and some tight bowling from all the bowlers, despite not always being rewarded with wickets, and a five wicket haul for Scott Campbell leading the way.