RAMPANT BRIGADE IN CONTROL OF BIG TWO CLASH

There was no shortage of thrills and spills in the Billy Henderson Properties North West league last night with two crucial games taking place involving both ends of the Division 1 table. Brigade and Limavady took centre stage, the teams currently occupying the top two places crossing swords in their re-arranged game that saw all sorts of records tumble on the first evening.

Gareth McKeegan and Iftikhar Hussain got the home side off to a flyer after Mark Simpson had won the toss and elected to bat, that pair posting an opening stand of 89 in just 9 overs before the former was bowled by Andrew Riddles for 42.

Hussain was then joined by fellow Pakistani Ata-Ur-Rehman but a really unfortunate run out saw the latter start to make his way off the field before being called back by the very observant umpires who had noted that Hussain had left his crease and the players hadn't crossed. A half century that included 6 fours and a six looked to be little consolation to Hussain as he trooped off instead but if Limavady thought that they had got rid of the danger man they were sorely mistaken.

For the next hour Rehman tore lumps out of the visitors' attack as he shared a 136-run stand with Johnny Thompson. The former Test bowler only faced 42 balls in his time in the middle, ten of which he peppered all around Limavady Road and three more sent to the boundary along the ground as he finished unbeaten on 103. Thompson played his part too, his 28 in good time all meant that Brigade's 20 overs produced a return of 253 for 3.

You had to spare a thought for Paul Blackburn, introduced to the attack in the 18th over when Rehman was running riot and in an attempt to keep him quiet the young Limavady player bowled four wides and four no-balls in a 14-ball over that cost 36 runs. Victor McDaid was the only other player to pick up a wicket on a night when bowling was little fun and Limavady will have to completely re-write the records this evening when the sides take to the field again if they are to stop their hosts from taking a foothold in the title race.

There was another remarkable game at Bonds Glen as the hosts entertained a Donemana side who are now all but mathematically out of the running in this year's championship. Batting first Gary Hamilton's side could only manage 70 all out with Johnny Haslett hitting 4 sixes and 2 fours in making 47 of those as the Bee Gees failed to build on their excellent show against Eglinton. James McBrine picked up 4 wickets, Robert Huey 3 and William McBrine 2 but any idea that the visitors would claim an easy win were soon dispelled. Kamran Sajid with 16 was the only player to make double figures as the home side's professional Gihan Dilruk returned an outstanding 6 wickets for 4 runs from his 4 overs. At 51 for 7 it was anyone's game but Donemana were once again indebted to James and Junior McBrine who steered them to a 3-wicket win in the end.