Top 4 spots decided in Longs SuperValu T20 Championship
Despite the fact that domestic cricket has been limited to T20 format this year, there’s a familiar look to the senior cup semi-final line up after another rain-affected day across the North West.
Coleraine v Eglinton
Coleraine had already booked their place in the last four of the premier competition and so the abandonment of their final group game against Eglinton had no bearing on final positions. The Bannsiders were joined in the semi-finals early on Saturday afternoon by Bready once their game away to nearest challengers Fox Lodge was another to fall foul of the elements.
Donemana v Killyclooney
It was also mission accomplished for serial cup winners Donemana, although their game at home to second-placed Killyclooney was only washed out after the first innings had been completed. Both teams were keen to play at a sodden Holm- ‘Clooney knowing a win would put them top of the table while the hosts seemed keen to set the record straight after an earlier defeat by the Championship side. The visitors made 59-5 from their 8 overs here; William Finlay top scoring with 18* while Darren Moan added 15 at the top of the order. Andy McBrine claimed 2-12 for the winners and there was a wicket apiece for Dean Mehaffey, Jordan McGonigle and Levi Dougherty. Heavy rain returned to the Tyrone village in between innings meaning no further play was possible as Donemana advanced to Monday’s senior cup draw.
Glendermott v Brigade
The final spot went to Brigade who just needed to match Newbuildings’ result against St Johnston to progress as well. Andy Britton’s men were at the Rectory on Saturday with their game reduced to 18 overs apiece after another delayed start. The home team came flying out of the traps as Scott Laird hit 5 sixes, 2 fours and three singles in an entertaining 41 at the top of their order. Skipper Alan Johnson hit 3 ‘maximums’ in a breezy 21 as Glendermott raced to 58-2 early on before wickets started to fall regularly. Ryan Macbeth claimed 2-18 for the visitors before the real damage came in the middle overs from skipper Britton. His 4 wickets for just 2 runs coupled with 2-11 from Iftikhar Hussain saw the Bonds Street lads slump from 86-5 to 94 all out with more than 4 overs left unused. Brigade, with one eye on the gathering gloom needed less than 10 overs to chase down the target. A 75-run second wicket stand between David Murdock who hit 4 sixes and 4 fours in his 46, and Ryan Hunter (35*) ended the game as a contest as they won by 8 wickets.
Newbuildings v St Johnston
In the other games to escape the weather, Newbuildings completed an excellent group campaign with a high-scoring win over St Johnston at Foyle View. Batting first in a 16-over contest the Saints racked up 179-4 with Scott Macbeth making 54*, Michael Rankin 45 and Jack Macbeth 36. Unperturbed, the hosts set about the reply in style with skipper Gareth McKeegan thumping 8 fours and 4 sixes in his 63 while Mark Hanna added an aggressive 45 (5 sixes, 2 fours). Johnny Thompson made an unbeaten 30 and Ross Dougherty 21 to see Newbuildings over the line with 7 wickets and 2 overs to spare. McKeegan’s men will now be fancying their chances in the knock-out stages of the Faughan Valley Cup.
Burndennett v Strabane
In the day’s final game, Strabane’s miserable group campaign ended in a 108-run defeat at Burndennett. Gary Neely top scored with 58 as ‘Dennett posted 176-5; Mark Doherty chipping in with 40 and Aaron McNamee 27. The Red Caps replied with 68- Neely returning figures of 3-8 while Mark Pollock, Mark Roulston and Ross McCay picked up two wickets each.
The draw for the respective cup competitions will now be made on Monday.
Senior Cup: Coleraine, Donemana, Brigade, Bready
Faughan Valley Cup: Killyclooney, Fox Lodge, Newbuildings, Eglinton
Sammy Jeffrey Cup: Bonds Glen, Burndennett, St Johnston, Ballyspallen
Eric Cooke Cup: Glendermott (bye) play either Ardmore or Strabane in final
