Senior title race heats up

This weekend the focus switches to the first round proper of the Northern Bank Senior Cup when the six remaining teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals and with Burndennett at home to Ballyspallen at least one representative is assured in the last eight. All known form would suggest a home win but with the pressure off, the visitors might just fancy their chances of causing an upset.

Jimmy Boyle’s side are unlikely to let their guard down however and will be keen to make the next round to gauge how far they’ve come this season.

The other four have varying degrees of hope of making the next stage although it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see Ardmore serve it up to St Johnston and Killyclooney will be keen to exploit any confidence issues in the Eglinton camp.

Drummond have two chances of beating Donemana, some chance and no chance, whilst Coleraine will be red hot favourites to end Sion’s interest.

While two matches were scheduled to be ongoing at present as Ballyspallen host Drummond and Killyclooney make the trip to Creevedonnell but there was no shortage of drama elsewhere at the weekend.

Leaders Ardmore were at Bonds Glen on Saturday and Paul Brolly’s men lost out by just 10 runs in a game that yielded well over 600. The Bee Gees batted first and the Hamilton brothers Gary, who made 81 and Keith with 65, paved the way for a massive total of 316. George Brolly claimed 4 for 65 for Ardmore on a day when defending a short boundary was well nigh impossible.

Testament to the conditions Ardmore also posted over 300 in reply; skipper Paul Brolly making 66 whilst his brother Gerard almost led his side over the line with a hard hitting unbeaten 45 at the death. Conor Brolly weighed in with 38 whilst Tim Harris and Adrian Murphy had earlier made 36 apiece but it wasn’t to be enough.

Burndennett had earlier beaten Ballyspallen in another big scoring affair, Jimmy Boyle’s team posting 317 for 7 in their 50 overs. Mark Pollock (71), Mark Roulston (69), Lee Pollock (55 not out) and Philip Kelly (49) all batted with authority for Burndennett whilst Mervyn Martin was the pick of the visitors’ attack with 4 for 56. To be fair to them ‘Spallen made an excellent effort in reply, skipper Clive Rodgers leading the way in making 61 and Ernie Cassidy and Kyle Martin contributing 35 and 31 respectively in a competitive 251 all out. Adrian Moore with 5 for 43 claimed the bowling honours for the home side.

Creevedonnell finally put points on the board as they accounted for The Nedd, skipper Stephen Scroggie hitting a century and Andrew Clarke making 66 with Charlie Elder adding 45 in their 295 for 8. The Nedd threatened only briefly in reply Alex Steele top scoring with 46 as they were dismissed for 162; Leighton McGarrigle returning figures of 4 for 29.

In Saturday’s other game Killyclooney recorded their first points of the season as Graeme McCarter starred in a seven wicket win at Sion Mills. John Brown again stood tall for the hosts with another half century in their total of 151 all out as McCarter returned figures of 4 for 18 from 10 overs. The teenager then swapped ball for bat, making 49 as he and Mark Gordon (40 not out) steered the visitors to a decisive victory.