Cup weekend aheadfor Senior One sides

Glendermott were the big winners of the weekend, defeating Eglinton on Saturday and then taking the scalp of Donemana on Sunday.

In the Tyrone derby on Sunday Fox Lodge defeated Strabane. Eglinton and St Johnston remain without a point after the weekend’s results, Bready got a welcome win at Eglinton on Sunday.

There is a double header of cup action this weekend, on Saturday there are games in the second round of the Northern Bank Senior Cup while on Sunday it’s the first round of the Club Turf.

Senior Cup

Drummond v Donemana

The home side couldn’t have picked a tougher tie, that said Donemana are not playing that well. The Roesiders have recruited the talented Gordon Cooke to their ranks and that will help their younger players’ development.

The men from the Holm were surprisingly beaten at Glendermott and on Saturday their bowling looked decidedly weak against Limavady especially Azhar Shaffique who conceded 86 runs off his ten overs.

Prediction: Donemana.

Bonds Glen v Eglinton

This has the makings of a potential shock as second division Bonds Glen entertain an Eglinton side who have yet to win a game and already look like a side who will be fighting to avoid the drop. The home side had a good win over Ardmore last week.

Prediction: Bonds Glen.

Glendermott v Brigade

When the season began Brigade would have been hot favourites to win this one but it is not the case now . The Rectory men are on fire winning three of their four fixtures with their new signings playing superbly.

The Beechgrove men made a lot of quality signings during the close season but in their opening games they have been far from impressive, this derby is always keenly fought and with a big crowd guaranteed there should be a good atmosphere.

Prediction: Brigade.

Coleraine v Sion Mills

What a revelation the Bannsiders have been so far this season, all of their players are performing, especially their new recruits. They have also brought in a couple of young players and they have to be admired.

Sion under the guidance of the experienced John Browne had a 1 run win in the first round; as Browne tries to revitalise things it may take a couple of years to do that.

Prediction: Coleraine.

Bready v Limavady

The loss of a number of players hasn’t helped the Magheramason men; that said skipper Davy Leckey is determined to still make them competitive, and they have won two of their opening four league fixtures.

Limavady are looking unstoppable, they have quality throughout their side and in Stuart Thompson they have a potential international, they have also introduced a couple of good youngsters.

Prediction: Limavady.

Fox Lodge v Strabane

These two met in a league game last Sunday where the Foxies came out on top, they are having a good season with professional Darryl Brown in sparkling form with the bat, he has also been getting excellent support from his team mates.

Strabane are blowing a bit hot and cold having lost two of their opening four fixtures, they look to be a bit weak in their bowling which may cost them as the season progresses.

Prediction: Fox Lodge.

Ardmore v St Johnston

This has the potential of another shock, the home side have had a decent start to the season and they are scoring plenty of runs, they have a good mixture of youth and experience.

The men from Donegal have yet to taste victory in the top division although they almost got a win last time against Coleraine; their bowling looks a bit weak but their main aim is to remain in the top flight.

Prediction: St Johnston.

Club Turf

Brigade v CIYMS

Mark Simpson’s side, having bowed out of the Irish Senior Cup will be hoping for a run in this competition; however as manager Bertie Faulkner says the league and the Northern Bank Senior Cup are their priorities.

The Belfast out-fit have a very experienced side and they have already taken one North West scalp when they defeated Donemana in the Irish Senior Cup, they have also recruited Craig MacMillan the former New Zealand test player.

Prediction: CIYMS.

North Down v Fox Lodge

The Comber side have started the season with all guns firing they had a good win over a very good Instonians side last week where the talented Ryan Haire was amongst the runs, Tamur Khan was also in good form.

The men from Ballymagorry love the underdogs tag and they will relish this challenge but may bow out.

Prediction: North Down.

Bready v Lisburn

This is a good opportunity for the home side to progress, their top order have been struggling a bit and it has been the later batsmen that have been scoring the runs.

The visitors defeated Downpatrick last Saturday and have some useful players, namely the Simpson brothers.

Prediction: Bready.

Carrickfergus v Limavady

The last team you would want to meet at the moment are the Roesiders - they are playing superbly and Decker Curry has them playing with a great spirit.

The home side are not one of the strongest in the NCU but with player coach Ryan Eaglestone in charge they will be up for it.

Prediction: Limavady.

Glendermott v Waringstown

This should draw a big crowd on a perfect batting strip and with two talented teams there should be plenty of runs. Waringstown’s former international Kyle McCallum is in unbelievable form scoring three centuries in his last three games.

Prediction: Waringstown.

CSN v Donemana

Civil Service North lost to Carrickfergus last week so they will be determined to bounce back, they have a mixture of youth and experience and are a dangerous side at home.

Donemana will have to put last Sunday’s performance behind them and get the wheels back on track, this would be a good time to do just that.

Prediction: Donemana.

Eglinton v Instonians

What a disappointing start to the season for the home side, they are playing with no confidence and are wondering when they are going to win a match.

The Belfast men are one of the top sides in the NCU with quality players like Andrew White, Rory McCann and Johnny Stevenson they should win comfortably.

Prediction: Instonians.

Downpatrick v Strabane

The home side were bowled out for just 115 last week and have been struggling, however they can be a dangerous side when they get it together.

The Tyrone men would love a run in this competition as it is a good distraction from local cricket they may get a win.

Prediction: Strabane.