CREEVIES CROWNED CHAMPIONS AFTER STUNNING LAST DAY WIN

They say good things come to those who wait and that was certainly the case for Creevedonnell on Saturday as the Curryfree Road side booked their place in the top flight of North West cricket for the first time since 1981 with a final day win at The Nedd. Stephen Scroggie's side took the lead off Ardmore in July and haven't looked back since but had Drummond for company throughout the final month of the season. The two clubs swapped win for win but the 'Donnell always had a game in hand and they made that count in style at the weekend at the Kings Lane. The first game was fairly evenly poised when rain caused an abandonment so the visitors knew that this 20/20 was their last shot if they were to avoid a nervous play-off against Gordon Cooke's team. Vinny O'Hara won the toss and had no hesitation in putting the league leaders in on a green track and with a few regulars missing from the line-up, brothers Noel and David McMichael donned the whites for the hosts. “Coke” got the ball rolling too with an excellent spell of bowling, removing Myles Neely in his very first over before Gary Neely, Alan Duddy, Nicky Cooke and skipper Scroggie all contributed to a recovery of sorts. Still, with four overs left it was looking like a target of around 110 before Gareth Falconer and Leighton McGarrigle landed a few lofty blows that took the champions-elect to a very competitive looking 140 for 5 in their 20. That was a good effort in the circumstances and the visitors felt at half way that they now just needed to bowl straight to win. And while they knew the track was difficult for batting, no-one expected what was to come next. Gary Neely, fresh from top scoring in his side's innings took the new ball and sent down four overs that were at best, unplayable. With Nicky Cooke tightening the screw at the other end, Neely ripped away the home side's batting as they lost 7 wickets without adding a run. The Nedd were 4 for 8 at that stage and with number 11 Keith Burns not batting only Noel McMichael and Alwyn Morrow, Kyle's father, stood between them and a proper tonking. By that stage discretion was the better part of valour and the final pairing batted really sensibly to bring their side up to respectability. To their credit they saw out the overs, Morrow finishing 21 not out and McMichael unbeaten on 18 but Creevedonnell had long since did what they had to. Skipper Scroggie picked up the trophy and the only thing missing on the day was the Creevies stalwart Brian Dougherty who was on his way to America on a long standing holiday. The former skipper has been the backbone of the club for as long as anyone can remember but it will have made his arrival in the states all the sweeter knowing they would start 2012 back among the big boys. Neely's contribution here was huge, his figures of 6 for 3 only telling half the story as only 1 of those 3 runs actually came off the bat and 5 of his 6 wickets were clean bowled. They will need him to do plenty more of that next season too and although Creevedonnell will be aware that they have much to do between now and April there will be a party or two at the Curryfree Road over the next few days.

There was one final game outstanding in the league and no prizes for guessing that there was an end of season feel at Killyclooney where the hosts entertained St Johnston. Richard McMorris's side batted first and Alan Colhoun was at his hard hitting best as he blasted 7 sixes and 2 fours in his 57. The skipper was next in with 23 but for a 20 over bash the home side's 167 for 8 looked competitive. The Donegal club had actually held their presentation dinner the night before so there would have been a few brittle bones about but that didn't stop them pulling off the win with just a ball to spare in a surprisingly entertaining contest. Michael Rankin, what a prospect he is for the Saints, top scored with 55 and Sachin Dixit with an unbeaten 22 saw the visitors home with 4 wickets in hand.

And that was about it for the 2011 season as Creevedonnell proved the pick of the bunch while Drummond laid down a marker if they can keep their side together. Next year of course Eglinton will join the ranks so it looks set to be a quality race in 2012, if only the weather Gods are a little kinder.