BIG GUNS ON RECOVERY MISSION WHILE LEADERS LOOK TO BUILD

After just one week of the new season it is pretty obvious that trying to second guess the outcome of matches is going to be something of a minefield this summer. Donemana, Coleraine and Bready were all big winners in week 1 but it�s probably fair to say that Brigade took the honours by seeing off a strong Fox Lodge side on Saturday before edging out Limavady in a cracking 20/20 Charity Cup final the following day.

All ten teams are in action again this weekend albeit two of the games are on Sunday so here�s a look at what we might expect-

COLERAINE V STRABANE

It�s difficult to know where to start with this one there are so many sub plots. Coleraine brought in David Cooke during the close season and with Mohammad Salman in the Caribbean, the all-rounder looked certain to take the gloves for last weekend�s opener at Eglinton. No surprise then when Cooke left the gloves behind to bowl instead and ended up taking 4 wickets. To muddy the waters further, Pakistan�s final ODI is played in the West Indies today and the Bannsiders already have Salman�s tickets booked to fly to Heathrow tomorrow and into Belfast on Saturday morning in time to line up against the champions. Should he get here in time that would leave Tim Chopra with about four keepers to choose from although don�t be surprised if none of them keep and all of them bowl! Strabane will be reeling from the manner in which they lost to Donemana and skipper Jonathan Beukes will know this is now a game they have to win to get their season up and running. Mark Gillespie struggled a little to bowl last week and only managed three overs and with Martin Deans picking up a knock as well they were left somewhat exposed in attack. That should be ironed out in good time for Saturday but Kevin Martin looks set to be missing for a while due to an ongoing shoulder injury. Coleraine have real quality this season and could be set to rustle up the top four but Strabane need this and are a dangerous predator in a must-win situation. They would do well however to remember that Coleraine turned them over at the Park last season despite the Red Caps going on to claim the title.

DONEMANA V EGLINTON

The hosts will be cock-a-hoop with their start to the season and they will be fully aware that a win here will really get the tails up for a crack at the title race. Dwayne McGarrigle�s return is a major boost for skipper Richard Kee and a few of the Strabane players were very impressed with McGarrigle�s bowling at the weekend. Dwayne hits the ball hard as well and the former champions need that type of influence in the camp if this is to be a profitable season for them. On the downside still no sign of Kamran Sajid�s plane landing and they will need him soon if they are to get the full benefit. The Villagers lost a thriller at home to Coleraine on Saturday but showed enough to suggest that last year is but a distant memory. Big Chris Pierce has improved beyond recognition in the past 18 months and Richard Wylie�s return helps a lot as well. New professional Ryan Butterworth looks a real find for them and Eglinton will travel to the Holm this weekend in good heart and without fear. This could be a really strange one to call because an away win isn�t out of the question. Donemana probably start the slightest of favourites but only just.

FOX LODGE V LIMAVADY

This has all the ingredients of another cracking contest between two sides that have genuine title aspirations this season. The Foxies had a golden opportunity to beat Brigade last weekend but couldn�t take it and there is still some doubt about their ability to grind it out. The quality isn�t in doubt and Jason Milligan�s form with the bat will give them a timely boost and when you add in Brian Allen, Andy Britton, Johnny Robinson, Andrew McGinnis, the two McCarters and Jonathan Heywood as well as South African Darryl Brown you get a flavour of the possibilities. Young Gareth Heywood looks a real star in the making with the new ball as well and if they do find the self belief the Foxies will go very close this season. Limavady aren�t shabby either mind; Andrew Riddles is bowling as quickly as I can remember and with the inimitable Des Curry in your side anything can happen. Stuart Thompson, Ricky McDaid, Nigel Thompson and the rest give the Roesiders a solid look but they are probably still a player or two short of their absolute best. Fox Lodge look a better side at home and I�ve a feeling they could nick this.

BREADY V BRIGADE (SUNDAY)

The only clash of the round that involves two sides to have won their opening fixture and in a weekend of big games this one has few peers. Obviously the Trevor Britton/ Chris Dougherty factor adds some spice but they�ve been here before and all parties can handle the added pressure. Bready looked really solid with the bat against Glendermott, chasing down 280 to win fairly comfortably but a note of caution may be in the fact that Glendermott got 280 in the first place. The Magheramason side�s attack is compact rather than spectacular and they will have to be on their best behaviour if they are to emerge from this with the points. Brigade will be hoping to build on a win at home to Fox Lodge that was workmanlike rather than convincing and despite the loss of McDonnell and Wylie they retain plenty of quality. David Barr did an excellent job opening the innings with Chris Dougherty but it remains to be seen if that becomes a settled pairing. Ata-ur-Rehman impressed as well but again, will be better judged after a month in his new surroundings .I wouldn�t like to have to put money on the outcome but a home win isn�t impossible.

GLENDERMOTT V BONDS GLEN (SUNDAY)

Two sides to have lost their opening games clash at the Rectory and the hosts will be fully aware that they will be expected to register their first points here if they are to have a meaningful season. Gordon Montgomery returns after suspension and will go some way to plugging what last weekend was a threadbare attack but he will need at least one more option as well if they are to get competitive. New professional Roy Silva looks useful and Stephen Smyth started with a century at the weekend without having lifted a bat in anger since September. Runs don�t look a problem but defending them could be a different matter. The Bee Gees will be well pleased to have made Limavady work to secure Saturday�s win but they will know that it is games like this one that will seal their survival fate. Gary Hamilton won�t be looking towards Beechgrove or Strabane Park for the points to keep his team afloat in the top flight but he will have an eye on this sort of challenge. It�s always a team effort at the Glen and their fighting spirit can count for plenty during the summer but it�s difficult to see them coping with the run threat of Silva, Smyth and company.