SAINTS LOSE GROUND IN TITLE RACE AND NORTH WEST INTEREST ENDS IN SHIELD

There wasn't a lot of action for Division 2 clubs over the weekend with just one league game on Saturday, followed by three matches involving North West Clubs in the Ulster Shield on Sunday. There were a couple of 20/20 re-arrangements due to start last night between Sion Mills and Killyclooney and The Nedd versus St Johnston. It turned out to be a poor weekend for the Donegal club as their attempts to claw back Ardmore's advantage at the top of the table hit the buffers on Saturday when they were beaten by Drummond. Batting first in that one the Saints made 175 for 6 in their 50 overs and top scorer with 38 not out was none other than Ian Torrens, making his first appearance in six seasons. He was joined in an unbroken 7th wicket stand by Kushpal Singh who contributed 30 while Naveed Chaudrey had earlier added 25. Michael Lynch and Craig Hartin picked up 2 wickets each in a solid performance from the hosts. Drummond's reply was up with the required rate throughout albeit they too lost wickets steadily. Gordon Cooke though stood firm and he and Philip Moon took their side to within touching distance of the win. Moon was out for 66 that included 5 fours but the former Ireland International was there at the end with an unbeaten 77 that included a couple of boundaries as Drummond maintained their own promotion challenge with a 3-wicket win. James Robinson with 3 for 31 was best with the ball for the Saints who were then beaten in the Ulster Shield by Woodvale on Sunday. The game was played at Ballyclare Rugby grounds and the Saints found the pitch very difficult to score on. Alan MacBeth made a half century and Ian MacBeth added 38 but that was about it in a total of 145 all out. Woodvale didn't find things much easier themselves although they did eventually fall over the line for a 3 wicket win with 10 balls to spare.

The picture was no better for the other two North West clubs still left in the Shield as The Nedd and Killyclooney both lost out. Vinny O'Hara's side entertained Derriaghy and were well beaten thanks mainly to the performance of Charl Daubney. The Belfast club's South African took 4 for 31 as The Nedd were dismissed for 167; Kyle Morrow making 33 of those and Gareth Burns (21) and Johnny Murray (20 not out) sharing an 8th wicket partnership worth 48. Daubney then swapped ball for bat and took aim at the hosts' bowling attack. He blasted 10 sixes and 4 fours on his way to a 38-ball unbeaten 92 that allowed Derriaghy to cruise to a 7-wicket win.

Killyclooney bowed out as well but looked all over the winners in their tie with Saintfield at The Demesne before being undone by a late rally. James Colhoun was in cracking form to the North West men, his 83 by far the best in Killyclooney's 196 all out. Mark Gordon added 24 and skipper Richard McMorris chipped in with 22 while Johnny Wheeler and BJ Barnett both picked up 3 wickets for the hosts. Mark Snodgrass and Mark Gordon then got right into the Saintfield batting and at 100 for 8 in reply the local side will surely have been thinking about the semi finals. Ray McCavery had other ideas though as he and Adam Sofley put together a 9th wicket partnership worth 79 to put the cat among the pigeons. Sofely's dismissal then meant that the last pair had to make 24 to win but McCavery and number 11 Murray somehow managed to see it through with their wicket intact as the visitors trooped home wondering how they had lost. McCavery finished unbeaten on 67 and although it came to nowt Mark Gordon's 4 for 44 and Mark Snodgrass with 3 for 40 were the pick of Killyclooney's bowling.

There's more league action next weekend as the Billy Henderson Properties Division 2 title race moves into the second half with Ardmore now having matters very firmly in their own hands. The Bleachgreen club knows that the month of July looks certain to dictate their promotion hopes as they contemplate home matches against potentially their three main championship rivals- Creevedonnell, St Johnston and Drummond as well as trips to The Nedd and Killyclooney. Stephen Scroggie's team are first up next Saturday and despite an indifferent few weeks at the start of the month the Curryfree Road side have worked their way back into contention lately. The ex- Brigade contingent of Scroggie, Alan Duddy and Nicky Cooke have played a large part in the resurgence as has Gary Neely and the McGarrigle boys. But for a few disappointing results they would be keeping their hosts company at the top of the table however Ardmore have yet to be fully extended in the league this season and skipper George Brolly will know that a win here will probably put a major dent in the visitors' title hopes. Adrian Murphy has been in sparkling form for the leaders but he has had plenty of assistance from Conor Brolly, Ciaran McDermott and Paul Brolly among others although all in all it has been a solid team performance that has helped lay the platform for Ardmore. Should Creevedonnell pick up the points that would certainly open the table up but they will need to be at their very best to de-rail the table toppers in their current form.

Killyclooney recovered from a poor start to string a few results together lately but Richard McMorris's side still has plenty of work to do if they want to be involved at the business end. They have relied very heavily on Mark Gordon and Sammy McElhatton to date although James Colhoun has shown flashes of form as well. This Saturday they entertain Drummond, another side hoping to keep themselves in the promotion picture over the coming weeks. Gordon Cooke is slowly putting together a team capable of challenging for honours at this level as he, Stevie Moore and Craig Hartin look to provide a solid base from which to bring the younger players through. Graeme Anderson and Clive Rodgers have proven more than useful since coming in from Ballyspallen and former Ireland International Cooke can look forward to winning more than he loses for the foreseeable future. If they are to keep interest alive these are the types of games they need to be winning and the visitors ought to have enough quality to claim the points here.

The final game this weekend sees St Johnston fancied to keep their name in the promotion hat when they entertain struggling Burndennett. The visitors have yet to record a win this season and at one point called an emergency meeting to re-assess their situation however thankfully they had enough resolve to keep going. Stephen McCay has his hands full at the moment but will be delighted with the spirit being shown by the likes of Mark Doherty and they ran Ardmore mighty close a fortnight ago before losing narrowly. The Saints are always likely to be involved at this level and many see David MacBeth's side as the biggest threat to Ardmore in the home straight despite their loss at Drummond at the weekend. Whether they are overly enamoured at the prospect of another season in the top flight quite so soon is anyone's guess but the Donegal men definitely won't be far away come September and should claim another couple of points here on the way