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Donemana and Limavady Serve Up A Thriller
Ian Callender, 13 May 2001 THE North West may be reduced to only one Ireland player in the squad for the ICC Trophy but the players still know how to serve up a thriller. In front of a massive home crowd, Donemana were set a target of 314 by champions Limavady and, amid amazing scenes, they won by two wickets with a full over to spare. Incredible stuff and a big, big result in the context of the Senior One title. Although the season is barely started, Donemana lead the title holders for the last seven years by four points (two wins) and they are certainly in the box seat to return to their position as the dominant force in the North West. Decker Curry (right) started the day with his first century of the season and the pace never relented. When Limavady lost their first wicket, Gareth Harron for 26, the total was 84 and of the next 93 runs, added for the second wicket, professional Iftikhar Hussain scored just 39. In all, Curry hit 110, with five sixes and 12 fours, and although he and Mark McDaid were dismissed in successive overs, Richard McDaid and then Andy Christie maintained the momentum to take Limavady through the six runs an over barrier. No team can score too many runs at Donemana, however and although they lost nine wickets last week in passing Brigade's modest 121, the home side invarialbly find a 321 target just as easy. So it proved and a wonderfully mature innings of 75 from Ireland triallist William Porterfield was backed up by a stunning, unbeaten, 71 from Johnny Thompson, which included eight fours and four sixes. His match winning partnership for the ninth wicket with Gary Neilly was worth 75 in seven overs, Victor McDaid going for 23 in one of them. Unsurpassable action!
© Mirrir Group Newspapers 2001
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