Brigade edge Strabane in last-ball thriller

Brigade made it two wins from two starts in the White Horse Hotel T20 Cup as they sneaked past Strabane at the Park on Sunday afternoon. For the second day in a row we had a game decided on the very last ball as the visitors dug deep to take control of their qualification group.

A wet start to the day saw the contest originally reduced to 11 overs a side, with the Red Caps having a bat first. Tom Harpur and Aaron Gillespie were happy to take the Brigade bowlers on over the short format- Harpur carrying his bat for an unbeaten 36 which included 3 sixes while skipper Gillespie smacked four maximums in his 33.

Debutant Ehtesham Ahmed added 19 as Strabane posted 92-3 in their allotted overs.

Brigade started really well in reply with David Barr and skipper Andy Britton racing to 32-0 after 2 overs. They had moved on to 45-1 in the 6th before the rain returned and following another rain delay, the teams returned with the visitors’ new target set at 68 from 8 overs.

Some impressive bowling from Havern and Gillespie put Strabane right back in it and as they got down to the last two balls, Brigade still needed 7 to win. Kyle Magee pulled the penultimate delivery over the rope and with just one required off the last, the Warriors man pierced the crowded infield to win it for his side.

At Strabane Park, Brigade (24pts) beat Strabane (1pt) by 8 wickets.

Strabane 92-3 (11 overs; T Harpur 36*, A Gillespie 33, E Ahmed 19)

Brigade ( revised target 68 off 8) 71-3 (8 overs; D Barr 32*, A Britton 19)