TWISTS AND TURNS APLENTY ON DAY OF DRAMA IN LEAGUE

After the superb weather which greeted the onset of the new cricket season last weekend the skies were altogether heavier on Saturday although business was still conducted pretty much on schedule.

There were three games played in the top flight of the Billy Henderson Properties league and three preliminary matches in the Northern Bank senior cup whilst Bready entertained Bonds Glen in the second round of the Blue Riband competition.

There was some absolutely thrilling action in the top flight again, including something of an upset at Donemana where the hosts lost to a rejuvenated Eglinton. Richard Kee�s side may have fielded without four of the players that lined up at Strabane Park seven days earlier but take nothing away from an Eglinton team that looks a whole lot different in attitude if not personnel from the 2010 model.

The visitors got off to a poor start too, losing the in-form Chris Pierce and Karl O�Doherty with just 15 on the board. Skipper Andy Christie and professional Ryan Butterworth then battled hard to get the village side back into it but it was a magnificent fourth wicket stand between Butterworth and Richard Wylie that was to prove the difference between the teams.

The Zimbabwean smashed 5 fours and 6 sixes before being run out for 79 and Wylie�s share of the 140-run stand was 68 that included 6 fours and 4 sixes. Eglinton went on to post 256 all out, the last wicket coming off the final ball of the innings while the bowling honours were shared between Dwayne McGarrigle, Dale Olphert and Jordan McGonagle who claimed two wickets apiece.

The home side�s reply started moderately enough, losing McGarrigle without scoring before Ryan Hunter and Andy McBrine took them to 47 for 1 but in the mayhem that followed, Donemana lost their entire middle order for the addition of just 1 run.

It was an altogether different game at 48 for 6 and despite a cameo of 24 from Junior McBrine they were all out for just 105, a thumping deficit of 151 runs. Professional Butterworth looks a cracking find for Eglinton and he complimented his run spree by returning the deadly accurate figures of 3 for 10 from 7 overs. Mark Averill and Richard Stewart also picked up 2 wickets apiece in a thoroughly impressive display from Andy Christie�s men.

Fox Lodge got their first points on the board as well as they ran out easy winners against Limavady at Ballymagorry. Brian Allen�s side lost two quick wickets at the start of their innings before their overseas man Darryl Brown steadied the ship, starring in half century partnerships with first Johnny Robinson and then Dean McCarter.

The South African hit 11 fours in a composed 71 and whilst he provided the anchor, the Roesiders were undone by a tremendous unbeaten 69 from number 9 batsman Andrew McGinnis. To have someone of the all-rounder�s quality batting so low in the order says plenty about the Foxies� strengths and he blasted 7 fours and 3 sixes in a knock that took just 43 balls that meant Limavady had to chase a daunting 270. Des Curry and Andrew Riddles were the most successful bowlers for the visitors, picking up three wickets each.

Limavady�s reply rarely looked threatening if truth be told and the hosts were on top from the very start. Resistance came in the form of Adam McDaid, promoted to open the batting and despite the youngster�s defiant half century he found few willing partners. Simon Dunn with 22 down the order helped to put a shade of respectability on the distance but 4 wickets for Johnny Robinson and a brace for Darryl Brown saw this one ended as a contest pretty early.

No such formality at Coleraine where the Bannsiders and Strabane provided what could well be the finish of the season before the reigning champions somehow pulled off an astonishing win after seeming to have blown their chance.

The hosts got off to a good start against Jonathan Beukes� side who were forced to field without opening bowler Martin Deans and opening batsman Kevin Martin, both of whom could now be long term injury doubts. Ian McGregor made a composed 56 before being run out by an excellent piece of work from Phil Eaglestone and David Cooke added a steady 55 but there was no great pace to the innings and it took a bewildering 42 wides from the Strabane bowlers to help the hosts to a competitive 232 for 7 in their 50 overs. Phil Eaglestone and Mark Gillespie picked up two wickets apiece for the visitors although it is fairly clear that the champions� attack is still some way from being at its best.

Niall McDonnell and Barry Scott gave Strabane an excellent platform with an 82-run first wicket stand, McDonnell again the dominant force hitting 10 fours in an aggressive 61. The Red Caps lost a few wickets thereafter but with Peter Gillespie still in the middle and the score on 163 for 4 it looked a fairly straightforward ask for them to open their account for the season.

At that point however Coleraine re-introduced 16 year old Rishi Chopra into the contest and the youngster soon had the visitors� middle order in knots. From 163 for 4 it was soon 173 for 9 as the spinner picked up an amazing 6-wicket haul to put his side in the driving seat and with overs now on their side to boot.

Crucially, Strabane�s last pair included Irish cap centurion Gillespie and he used all his guile and experience to maximum effect as he and Phil Eaglestone defied everything Coleraine threw at them. Needing 60 to win from the last stand the pair timed it to perfection with Gillespie making an unbeaten 66 from 50 balls and Eaglestone rounding off a superb performance with 32 not out as Strabane claimed the points with three balls to spare. Both sides can take plenty from the game but this could be a real boost for the defending champions having come so close to blowing their prospects.