Senior One title race heats up

IT was a bad weekend for local clubs in two cup competitions. Fox Lodge were easily beaten by Railway Union in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup semi-final on Saturday while on Sunday Limavady lost to Instonians in the Ulster Cup Club Turf Final.

Brigade went to the top of the table in Senior One after wins over Limavady and Glendermott; Bready maintained their challenge by defeating Eglinton while Glendermott ended Donemana's slim chance by winning at the Holm.

On Sunday Coleraine had a comfortable win over joint bottom club St Johnston. There is a double header this weekend as the title race hots up.

Saturday

Bready v Coleraine

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Davy Leckey's side are having an excellent season and a win here could see them join Brigade at the top. They were in a similar position last season but faded; that doesn't look like happening this time round.

The Bannsiders are merely fulfilling fixtures but they will go all out for a win as they would like to get into the top five the home team have to be the selection.

Prediction: Bready.

Eglinton v Fox Lodge

The Villagers suffered yet another defeat last week as their season goes from bad to worse; there is undoubtedly talent in their side but they are playing with no confidence.

The Foxies were disappointing against Railway Union where their fielding was abysmal they know that a victory here is imperative if they are to maintain their title challenge.

Prediction: Fox Lodge.

St. Johnston v Limavady

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Things don't get any easier for the Donegal men as they battle for survival, their bowling once again let them down in last Sunday's defeat at Coleraine and they don't have anyone to bring into the side.

The Roesiders have come off the rails recently but they are to good a side for that to continue they on paper have the easiest run in of all the title contenders but they must start winning.

Prediction: Limavady.

Strabane v Donemana

Jonathon Beuckes must rally his troops after their cup final defeat, they are still very much in the title race and if they can improve their bowling they will be there at the death.

Donemana are having their worst season for many years and James McBrine may be out for this one, there will be changes at the Holm next season.

Prediction: Strabane.

Sunday

Bready v Fox Lodge

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A local derby that is always keenly contested and with both sides going for the title this one has added significance, there is a lot of talent on both sides and the side that bowls well may come out on top.

Prediction: Bready.

Brigade v Coleraine

Can the men from Beechgrove do the double, they are in the driving seat after last weekend's victories and it is now theirs to lose. They have come good at the right time although they have some tough matches coming up.

The visitors will depend as usual on their top three in the batting but if they fail they usually lose.

Prediction: Brigade.

Glendermott v Limavady

The Rectory men were very poor in last Sunday's defeat at Beechgrove, they are not quite out of the race yet but they must depend on other sides slipping up.

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Limavady will see this as probably their toughest remaining fixture although their last game of the season is against Fox Lodge.

Prediction: Limavady.

St. Johnston v Donemana

The home side will see this as a game they can win as their opponents may not be at full strength, however the visitors will still be giving their best and that may be good enough.

Prediction: Donemana.

Strabane v Eglinton

The home side have won their last four league fixtures and they know that if they can maintain that form there is every chance of them winning the title.

Eglinton have just four games to save themselves their games with Coleraine and St Johnston look their most likely chances of winning.

Prediction: Strabane.