There was a startling turnaround to the 20/20 league game between Fox Lodge and Donemana on Wednesday evening as the hosts contrived to capitulate in the face of some pressure cricket from this season's cup finalists.
Defending just 120 the visitors refused to be put off by the fact that the Foxes had already knocked off 41 without loss on Tuesday night as they bowled superbly in the favourable conditions. Opener Brian Allen was unable to re-take his place at the wicket due to work committments but it looked like plain sailing for the Foxies as Darryl Brown and Johnny Robinson took them to 53-0 on the re-start.
At that stage however the latter was bowled by Andy McBrine having hit 3 sixes and 2 fours in his 35 and with the pitch taking big spin the fielding side began to hunt in packs.
Dean McCarter and Andy Britton went without scoring before Darryl Brown got down on one knee to play one from Jordan McGonagle left handed and was trapped lbw. The South African had pulled the feat off a couple of balls earlier but it was perfectly clear that the home support wasn't impressed with the dismissal.
That left Fox Lodge on 65 for 4 and with the run rate climbing Donemana moved in for the kill. Mark Mooney landed a couple in the car park but by that stage the visitors had introduced Junior McBrine into the attack and he was quite simply unplayable.
The all-rounder wrapped things up to finish with figures of 3 overs 2 maidens, 3 wickets for 1 run but this was a really impressive performance from all the Donemana bowlers.
Whilst the Holm men are now eyeing a league and cup double the Foxies yet again have to lick their wounds having wilted when the pressure was applied.
