The current holders of the Ulster Bank Schools Cup for the past two years, Foyle and Londonderry College, had an easy passage to the second round of this competition, with a convincing 151 run victory away to Bangor Grammar School II’s.

The visitors batted first, and in their 25 overs they scored at over nine runs an over to reach 239-5, with major contributions from Andrew Clarke with an unbeaten 70, and 63 from Jack Glenn, and they were backed up by Matthew Gillespie and Robbie Logue who both scored 41.

In reply Bangor were in trouble from the start, and could only muster a total of 78, with Clarke taking three wickets and Graeme McCarter a brace. In round two Foyle will be away again to the same venue, where they will take on Bangor first eleven, and this will be a bigger test for the Springtown based side.

In a 20-20 match at Springtown against Friends School from Lisburn, Foyle had first use of the wicket and reached a very credible total of 204-7, with the major highlight being a brilliant knock of 176 from Graeme McCarter.

The Gloucestershire bound player’s whirlwind innings included 160 runs in boundaries, with 22 boundaries and he cleared the ropes no fewer than on ten occasions. The visitors struggled against the tight Foyle bowling, and when the overs were up they had reached 120 for the loss of six wickets, giving the home School a comfortable 84 run win.

In the second round of the Schools Cup, Foyle again travelled to Bangor this time to take on Bangor Grammar 1st XI, but the visitors again proved too strong winning by a massive 145 runs to book a quarter final spot, with the open draw being made when all matches have been completed.

Batting first Foyle lost Matthew Gillespie for 9 but fellow opener Jack Glenn and Chris Campbell took the score to 77, when the latter was out for 29, and Glenn was dismissed 11 runs later for 42, with his innings included five boundaries.

Bangor’s bowlers were then taken to the sword, with Graeme McCarter and Andrew Clarke blasting 135 in 15 overs, in a fourth wicket match winning stand. McCarter superb knock of 80 made from only 57 deliveries, contained seven fours and three maximums, with Clarke’s 49 off 43balls including four fours and two sixes, as Foyle posted 256-5 in their allotted 35 overs.

In reply the Bangor batsmen were always struggling against the Foyle attack, and they were dismissed for only 111 in the 28.4 overs. In the Foyle bowling, Clarke finished with 2-10 off his five overs, backed up by Andrew Fleming who only conceded 15 runs off seven overs, and picked up two wickets, while Glenn with his leg spin mopped up the tail, taking two wickets for one run in 1.4 overs.