Title hopes suffer a blow

On Saturday the team travelled to the Rectory to play Glendermott and found the home side in determined mood. Glendermott won the toss and after putting Coleraine in to bat on a damp and green wicket, were soon in control, with Ian McGregor and Craig Averill both out with the total on 16. Scott Campbell offered some resistance with 27 runs but the introduction of Alan Johnston saw 56 for 3 become 56 for 6.

David Cooke and Johnny Martin came together for a 48 run partnership for the 8th wicket but when Cooke fell for 34 and Martin followed soon after for 24, Coleraine were all out for 127 in 43.1 overs.

As Glendermott started their reply, Coleraine’s opening bowlers, Gareth Burns and Stevie Dunn each claimed one wicket, but the home side’s Sri Lankan professional Roy Silva was in imperious form as he struck 7 sixes and 4 fours in an unbeaten 73 to seal a comprehensive 8 wicket victory in just 19.3 overs.

Glendermott beat Coleraine by eight wickets.
Coleraine 127 (43.1 overs, D Cooke 34, S Campbell 27, A Johnson 5-42, R Silva 2-12)
Glendermott 130-2 (19.3 overs, R Silva 73*)

Sunday’s match was at Sandel Lodge against Brigade. Coleraine’s opening bowlers were in magnificent form and after 13 overs, Brigade were reeling on 22 for 6 as Stevie Dunn and Gareth Burns both claimed three wickets to dismiss the visitors’ top order. Two wickets for Rishi Chopra reduced them to 48 for 8 and it appeared that they would struggle to post a total in excess of 75.

However, a 37 run partnership between Trevor Britton and Ryan Brace for the 9th wicket and an unbeaten 50 runs between Britton and Dale Culbert for the 10th wicket took Brigade to a total of 135 for 9 in their 50 overs.

Coleraine’s reply was soon in trouble, with Craig Averill and Steven Harper both out with the total on just 12. Again Scott Campbell played positively for his 16 runs, but wickets fell regularly and Ian McGregor (38) and Rishi Chopra (28) were the only other batsmen to make it to double figures as Coleraine fell 13 runs short of Brigade’s total.

These two results effectively end Coleraine’s title challenge for the season with only one game to play against title favourites Donemana at the Holm next Saturday. Coleraine are now in third place in what has been a very competitive league this season.

At this point they will feel disappointed but as the players and supporters look back over the whole season they will see that Coleraine 1st XI have in fact achieved a great deal.

Coleraine lost to Brigade by 13 runs.

Brigade 135-9(T Britton 47*, S Dunn 3-14, G Burns 3-16)

Coleraine 122(47.5 overs, I McGregor 38, R Chopra 28, M Simpson 4-42, M Snodgrass 3-26)