League and cup action this weekend

Strabane travelled to play Limavady at Drummond and returned after a surprisingly easy victory, Brigade defeated Eglinton in a high scoring game while Donemana beat Coleraine; Fox Lodge maintained their challenge by winning at Glendermott.

On Sunday Limavady returned to form to defeat Fox Lodge in the Faughan Valley Cup Final.

There is a full league programme on Saturday while on Sunday there are two league games plus the semi-finals of the Club Turf Cup.

Saturday

Coleraine v Strabane

The Bannsiders failed to score 136 on Saturday in their defeat by Donemana: these are worrying times as they have lost seven of their last eight games, and their big players have failed with the bat in recent games.

The Tyrone men are certainly the form team at the moment; they were very impressive in their win over Limavady and are very much in the title race. They may still however be without Martin Deans and Phil Eaglestone.

Prediction: Strabane.

Donemana v Eglinton

The men from the Holm have won their last two games without their batsmen performing; although they have moved up the table they look to be too far off the pace to mount a serious challenge.

The visitors batted well in defeat last week with the talented Christopher Pierce in good form once again; they still however have only got two points so are very much relegation contenders.

Prediction: Donemana.

Fox Lodge v Brigade

One of the games of the day the Foxies will be looking forward to the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup semi final where they have a home tie against Railway Union, but there is a league title to play for and they are certainly capable of going all the way.

Brigade will have one eye on next week's senior cup final but there are still places up for grabs for that game and players like Mattie Moran and Thomas Riddles didn't do their chance any harm with runs last week.

Prediction: Fox Lodge.

Limavady v Bready

Probably the game of the day, the Roesiders should be back to nearly full strength but will probably be missing Chris Moore, after winning the Faughan Valley Cup they are determined to retain the title.

The Magheramason men have been a breath of fresh air after losing key players they have introduced some young players and they haven't let them down, they are going to have a big say in where the title goes.

Prediction: Limavady.

St Johnston v Glendermott

They are having a terrible season but the home side put up their worst display of the season last Saturday only managing 64. Where is that first win going to come from? It is a difficult one to answer.

The Bonds Street side have gone off the boil recently but they are comfortably placed in the table and they will probably consider this to have been a decent season.

Prediction: Glendermott.

Sunday

Club Turf

Limavady v Brigade

This game will be played at Eglinton, the Roesiders showed how strong they are in any form of cricket and this forty over tie should suit them. They have big hitters like Decker Curry, David Cooke and the McDaid brothers.

Brigade on paper are one of the strongest outfits in the league, but too many of their players have been inconsistent. They will welcome back Niall McDonnell from Ireland duty which should help.

Prediction: Limavady.

Instonians v Strabane

Can Strabane make it an all North West final? They certainly have the players well capable of doing just that with the Gillespie brothers playing superbly; they still look a little weak in their bowling not helped by the absence of their opening two.

The home side defeated Bready in the last round and they are a formidable side, they will have Andrew White back and he is one of many big players in their side.

Prediction: Instonians.

Billy Henderson Properities Ltd Senior One

Fox Lodge v Coleraine

Depending on how Saturday's games go the home side with a win in this one could go top: their one worrying thing in recent games has been the loss of form of their big hitters, they are better when they play their natural game.

The visitors have gone down the road of introducing youngsters this season and the experience will stand them in good stead in later seasons, but they need a couple of wins to give them a lift.

Prediction: Fox Lodge.

Glendermott v Eglinton

Andy Christie's side will see this one as a game they could possibly win as their opponents are comfortable in the table and mightn't be up for it. That said with talent like Stephen Smyth and Hank Von Raunstein they can't take anything for granted.

Prediction: Eglinton.