Vandals ignored as full programme goes ahead

Ardmore took their turn to sit it out and the sides competing for promotion with the Bleachgreen club all had the chance to take advantage.

Creevedonnell continued their good run when they swatted Sion Mills with a minimum of fuss to move into a challenging position in the title race. Andrew Clarke with 4 for 20 and Chris McDonald (3 for 28) did the damage for Stephen Scroggie's team as Sion could muster just 56 all out. The home side required just 50 balls to bag the points with the skipper leading the way with an unbeaten 32.

Burndennett got their title challenge back on track as they halted the slide with a comprehensive win at Killyclooney. The toss is always quite pivotal to Jimmy Boyle's team as they seem to be much more confident batting first and it was the same story here.

Dean Mehaffey smashed 12 fours and 2 sixes on his way to an excellent 88 with Stephen McCay adding a half century and Martin Mehaffey an unbeaten 49 in the visitors' 276 for 8. Kenny Hall claimed 3 for 47 for the hosts and Mark Gordon and James Colhoun picked up two wickets apiece.

Killyclooney, without Graeme McCarter who has gone to Gloucester were rarely in the hunt after that and despite 37 from Mark Gordon they were still some way adrift at the end. Mark Roulston was the pick of Burndennett's attack with 3 for 21 and there were two wickets each for Adrian Moore and Stephen McCay in a facile win.

Bonds Glen put their recent troubles behind them as they continued their good run with an easy win at Ballyspallen. Skipper Gary Hamilton led from the front with an unbeaten 72 that contained 7 fours and a six and support came from Colin Hall with 34 and David Robinson (30) in a total of 208. Ryan O'Neill claimed 3 for 40 and there were two wickets apiece for Clive Rodgers and Johnny Martin for the home side.

'Spallen's own innings began really well and Matt Cassidy and Clive Rodgers put on 57 for the first wicket. After they went however, Cassidy's 35 easily their best effort, International dialing tone syndrome set in as the rest produced a host of 0's. Leslie Curry returned very impressive figures of 6 for 37 and Richard Hepburn an equally noteworthy 4 for 5 from 6 overs as Ballyspallen slumped to 80 all out.

The final game saw what was probably the surprise of the day as The Nedd recorded just their second league win of the season over their in-form neighbours Drummond.

The visitors seemed to get badly caught up in their innings and took two balls short of 40 overs to put together just 113 runs. Warren McIlmoyle top scored with 24 and Gordon Cooke made 20 as Creighton Wilson returned figures of 5 for 29, including a hat-trick.

The Nedd very nearly lost the run of themselves in their reply as well despite Kyle Morrow getting them on the road with 36 at the top of the order.

Gordon Cooke was on top form claiming 5 for 22 in his 10 overs but Alex Steele stood firm with an unbeaten 46 to ease the wobbling hosts home with four wickets to spare.

The focus stays on the league campaign this coming Saturday when game of the day could well be the clash of Burndennett and Creevedonnell.

Both sides are in there pitching at the business end of the table with the visitors certainly in the better vein of form but there is precious little between them.

Ardmore tackle The Nedd at the Bleachgreen where the visitors will be buoyed by Saturday's win although the home side will start warm favourites whilst Bonds Glen will look to keep their momentum going when they entertain Drummond. With Sion Mills sitting out this round the final game of the day sees Ballyspallen host Killyclooney.