League and cup action this weekend

Fox Lodge knocked out the holders Leinster, Glendermott saw off the challenge of CSN in a high scoring game at the Rectory and Coleraine defeated the fancied Instonians. The only losers were Limavady who went down by two wickets at North County.

In the league there were wins for Donemana over St Johnston and Strabane at Eglinton; on Sunday Limavady joined Fox Lodge at the top of the league after an easy win at Glendermott.

There is a double header this weekend, on Saturday there are five league games while on Sunday there are three games down for decision in the Club Turf Cup.

Bready v Donemana

Games between these two are always difficult to call: the home side have been Donemana's bogey side in recent years, Davy Leckey's men have won three of their six games and are still within striking distance of the top sides.

The visitors, although they have lost three league games so far are still not out of it: they look to have unearthed another talent in Ryan Hunter; both sides know that defeat here would end their title aspirations.

Prediction: Donemana.

Fox Lodge v St Johnston

The Foxies are having a great season and silverware is a distinct possibility; they have some talent throughout their side from opening pair Jason Milligan and Dean McCarter to the excellent Darryl Brown and big hitters Johnny Robinson, Mark Mooney and Andy McGinnis.

The Donegal men continue to try to get that elusive first win. David McBeth was in good form with the bat last Saturday but their bowlers continue to struggle.

Prediction: Fox Lodge.

Glendermott v Coleraine

What odds would you have got at the beginning of the season that these two sides would be in the Irish Senior Cup quarter-final, but they have got there on merit? Glendermott's pro Hank Von Raunstein has now found his batting form and the rest of the team are benefiting.

Coleraine had a tremendous win over Instonians where their left arm opening bowlers Steven Dunn and Rory Knox were superb; plenty of runs guaranteed in what is probably the best track in the North West.

Prediction: Coleraine.

Limavady v Eglinton

Still some doubt as to whether Limavady's ground will be available for this one: they have had a couple of bad Saturdays recently where they have bowed out of the Northern Bank Senior Cup and then defeated in the Irish Senior cup. They will now give all their intention in retaining the league title.

Eglinton continue to struggle. Easily beaten by Strabane last Saturday they are a team lacking in self belief and this looks like continuing for at least another week.

Prediction: Limavady.

Strabane v Brigade

Both these sides have big cup semi-finals coming up next weekend. The home side have a fifty per cent win record so far, they have Jonathon Bueckes back in the side and Kevin Martin batted well last week.

Brigade will be without the injured Trevor Britton and they will probably bring Mattie Moran into the side; they have been playing to their true form recently and may come out on top here.

Prediction: Brigade.

Sunday

Limavady v North Down

One of the ties of the round, the Roesiders are still smarting after their exits out of two cup competitions and they will be determined not to make it a hat-trick.

The visitors are a quality side with players of the calibre of Ryan Haire and Timur Khan to name just two; they had a big league win last week scoring over 300 runs.

Prediction: Limavady.

Bready v Instonians

The Magheramason men will know that their opponents suffered a shock defeat at Coleraine last Saturday and may not relish facing another North West side; they showed in a recent win at Brigade that they are a good side and they may bounce back.

Prediction: Instonians.

Waringstown v Strabane

The home side will go into this one as favourites however they were not that impressive in their win at Malahide last week where they lost seven wickets chasing just 156; they have players of the calibre of Kyle McCallen and Alan Cousins plus the Harrissons and they may prove too strong.

Prediction: Waringstown.